Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme kicks in 1 Jan

The new Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) will apply to all new cars, taxis and newly imported used cars registered with effect from 1st January next year. 

The Land Transport Authority says car buyers are advised to look out for the mandatory Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme (FELS) labels with the LTA's logo at car showrooms. 

The label is required to be put on cars that have been LTA-approved. 

The label provides the carbon emissions and fuel efficiency performance of the car model to help buyers make informed decisions. 

Only cars that are approved by LTA under FELS can be registered for use from 1st January and low emission models will qualify for CEVS rebates. 

Buyers can also access the FELS online database and fuel cost calculator at the ONEMOTORINGwebsite to compare the carbon emissions and fuel efficiency performance data across car models that are LTA approved. 

Under the new scheme, registered cars with low carbon emissions of less than or equal to 160g carbon emissions per kilometre (CO2/km) will qualify for rebates of between $5,000 and $20,000. 

This will be given as an offset against the vehicle's Additional Registration Fee.

Cars with high carbon emissions equal to or more than 211g CO2/km, will incur a registration surcharge between $5,000 and $20,000. 

The surcharges will only take effect 6 months later, from 1 July 2013 to give consumers and the motor industry more time to adjust. 

The CEVS will be applicable till 31 December 2014.