US Transportation Department employs QR Codes

The vehicle information labels found on the windows of new cars are getting a much-needed makeover. More consideration is being given to fuel-efficiency concerns driven by rises in fuel prices and they've even been pimped with some 21st century technology.

The new label will give consumers more detailed fuel efficiency information including estimated fuel costs for the year, illustrated estimated savings, and information about the vehicle's environmental impact.

But not everybody's driving habits are the same, and that's where QR Codes come into play. Consumers with smartphones can scan the QR Code to be taken to a website where personal driving data can be entered to obtain personalized vehicle fuel consumption data.

"These new labels will make it much easier for car shoppers to compare vehicles for fuel efficiency, and given the price of gas these days, that's a big plus," said Jim Guest, the President and CEO of Consumers Union.

"Providing consumers with clear, accessible, and comparative information is a critical goal for us at Consumer Reports, and we see these new fuel-economy labels as advancing that goal, especially when people are feeling pinched at the pump."

Tags: consumer information, labeling, qr codes, smartphone