The Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), one of the leading organisations that works on creating awareness about energy efficiency as a resource, has released the Green Vehicle Rating (GVR), which it claims is the country’s only vehicle rating system based on environmental performance.

The information tool aims to impart consumer knowledge on vehicles and help buyers calculate its impact on a community's health and environment. With the launch of the industry-first tool, AEEE has set out to move the ever-growing two- and three-wheeler rider base towards greener options in the country. GVR also intends to help buyers identify high-performing vehicles, make informed decisions with a web-based rating system for vehicles followed by working towards increasing the demand for greener variants.

The initiative is funded by Shakti Foundation and supported by American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the tool uses ‘Form 22’ or the ‘Road Worthiness Certificate’ mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2017 to calculate the environmental performance of the vehicle. Based on the data available in the Form 22, GVR takes a composite approach to pollutant emissions data and fuel efficiency data as reported by the auto dealers and online auto marketplaces.

Dr Satish Kumar, president and executive director, AEEE said: "Green Vehicle Rating (GVR) takes the self-reported emissions data in Form 22 and makes it easier to understand the true impact of a vehicle on the road without getting lost in numbers. With GVR, we aim to propel towards creating a culture of energy efficiency in India by shifting this ever-growing consumer base towards cleaner modes of transportation."

The GVR website can be accessed by clicking here, allows users to compare different vehicles, assess Real Cost of Ownership, damage cost, emissions levels along with commonly sought specifications like mileage, cost, engine capacity etc. To help consumers assimilate the impact, these costs are represented in Rupee per kilometre terms.

Dr Anshu Bhardwaj, CEO, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation said: "The adoption of cleaner transport will play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. The Green Vehicle Rating is an important step in this direction. It assesses and compares the environmental impact of two and three-wheeler vehicles in India, thereby serving as a useful tool for consumers to make more informed choices while purchasing vehicles in favour of more fuel efficient and less polluting vehicle models. Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is pleased to support the development of the Green Vehicle Rating, which provides consumers with straightforward and reliable information on energy and environmental costs as well as economic benefits.”