New for 2025: improved energy label and sanctioned noise
From the start of 2025, the energy label will be revised in order to simplify the search for efficient car models. Noise deliberately caused by motorists will also be expressly prohibited by law and punishable by heavy fines. Finally, the Pedibus enters the dictionary.
The requirements for CO2 emissions will be tightened in 2025. At the same time, the energy label for passenger cars will be improved. More stringent efficiency classes will simplify the identification of economical models.
The ATE Transport and Environment Association has fought for many years to improve the energy label for passenger cars. “The new energy label shows that from an energy point of view, electric cars are significantly more efficient than gasoline models,” explains Luca Maillard, project manager for the eco-auto platform. “In particular, tougher limits between vehicle classes, but also the differences in efficiency between electric models will be clearer. Oversized and heavy electric vehicles can consume almost three times more energy than the most efficient models.”
Unlike the current assessment, only the best models will be able to fall into energy class A. With the new assessment, no petrol or diesel model will no longer be able to slip into the best efficiency class.
Against unnecessary noise
Also on January 1, the Federal Council put into force an ordinance which allows motorists whose vehicles unnecessarily cause noise to be punished more harshly. Michael Rytz, project manager at ATE: “The sanctions are primarily aimed at driving style and technical tricks that intentionally produce noise. This includes, for example, exhaust noise caused by misfires. Now, these avoidable noise emissions are expressly prohibited by law. Fines of up to 10,000 francs are planned to punish offenders.”
Even if the penalties are less severe, it will also be prohibited to heat up and leave the engine of stationary vehicles running unnecessarily as well as to drive for the simple pleasure of driving. Loud starts and the roar of the engine when stopping are also unnecessary and will be punished, even if the amount of the fines is relatively moderate.
In the medium term, the Federal Council is also examining the possibility of introducing noise-cancelling radars. A pilot project in the canton of Geneva has produced good results. There are now plans to further examine the use of these devices at the national level.
The Pedibus enters “Le Robert”
A special honor is given to the Pedibus, the ATE project for safety on the way to school: the “Le Robert” dictionary adds it to its inventory. This sneaker school bus allows children to walk to school in complete safety, under the supervision of volunteer parents. The first Pedibus lines were launched in 1999.
For any further information:
- Anette Michel, eco-auto.info project director, 031 328 58 65
- Michael Rytz, Road Safety Project Director, 031 328 58 60
- ATE Media Service, 079 708 05 36, [email protected]
