FTC Green-Lights Changes To Fuel Economy Guide

In 1975, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") adopted the Fuel Economy Guide (the "Guide") to provide guidance on how to avoid making unfair and deceptive fuel economy claims in automobile advertising. In an effort to keep pace with developments in automotive technology, the FTC recently approved amendments to the Guide following a period of public comment. The amendments address fuel economy claims as applied to alternative fueled vehicles (such as electric and flex-fueled automobiles) and synchronize the Guide to be consistent with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy labeling rules. In addition, following the format of the FTC's other guides, the updated Guide now includes a set of general principles and illustrative examples for greater clarity. The updated Guide became effective on October 15, 2017.