Car buyers will soon be able to compare models based on government certified fuel efficiency labels before making a final choice. Labels on cars are to be voluntary to begin with but will be mandatory by March 2012. No new car will be on the road without labels indicating how it fares in its class.

With rising fuel costs, the eternal question posed by the cost-conscious Indian buyer - what's the mileage - will be answered more definitely as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has almost finalized fuel efficiency labelling rules.

With fuel efficiency labels for cars to be mandatory soon, the auto industry will have to meet targets to improve fuel efficiency by 2015-16. The big improvements would be in the fuel efficiency of mid-range and heavier vehicles like SUVs.

Bureau sources estimate that by 2015, the government expects industry-wide fuel efficiency to improve by 20-25%. It noted that average fuel efficiency across the auto sector has deteriorated with heavier vehicles gaining market share. This trend might be now checked with tougher norms.

While the bureau will notify the norms for both labelling and standards under the Energy Conservation Act, the road transport ministry will be mandated to implement them and monitor the industry under the Motor Vehicles Act.