How to use the Green Vehicle Guide

The Green Vehicle Guide (GVG) provides information about the environmental performance of new light vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass) sold in Australia. The GVG can help you to choose a cleaner car.

Detailed information helps identify individual vehicle models, including the make, model and variant name, engine and transmission, body style, seating and fuel type.

Information provided for each vehicle will help you compare the level of emissions of different vehicles and consequently their impact on the environment. The information includes:

Greenhouse Rating (based on CO₂ emissions) - to help you compare a vehicle's contribution to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Air Pollution Rating (based primarily on emission standards) - to help you compare a vehicle's contribution to urban air pollution (and associated effects on the environment, human health and amenity).
An Overall 'Star' Rating - to help you identify vehicles that emit a lower level of overall emissions. The Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating are combined to determine this Overall Rating.
Fuel Consumption (in L/100km) - to help you identify the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needs. (Note: The Green Vehicle Guide replaces the Fuel Consumption Guide that previously provided this information.)

When buying a new car, use the Green Vehicle Guide to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.

To find out how the ratings are calculated see Information on Green Vehicle Guide Ratings and Measurement.

Searching for vehicle(s) using the 'Quick Compare' function
Searching for a class of vehicles
Searching for a specific vehicle(s)
Comparing vehicles
Refining your search
Printing/Downloading the data

Searching for vehicle(s) using the 'Quick Compare' function

The 'Quick Compare' function allows a user to compare up to three particular vehicles using basic selection criteria such as make, model and variant.

The Quick Compare function is located within the blue box on the right hand side of the Green Vehicle Guide homepage.

Under the 'Vehicle 1' tab, use the drop down boxes to select the make, model and variant of the first vehicle you wish to locate.
Under the 'Vehicle 2' tab, use the drop down boxes to select the make, model and variant of the second vehicle you wish to locate.
If you would like to compare three vehicles, use the drop down boxes under the 'Vehicle 3' tab to select the make, model and variant of the third vehicle.
Click the 'Compare' button to display the selected vehicles.
If you would like to search using more detailed criteria instead, click the orange 'Advanced Search' button. This action will initiate a new search.

Searching for a class of vehicles

'Search by vehicle class' function allows you to search for vehicles of a certain type eg 'small cars', 'off-road vehicles', etc.

To search for a class of vehicles:

From the Green Vehicle Guide homepage, select the 'ADVANCED SEARCH' option in the bottom right hand side corner.
Select the type of vehicle you are interested in from the options in the blue 'VEHICLE CLASS' box on the right hand side of the screen. You can make more than one selection to narrow down your search.
Select the number of models you would like to display, by using the 'Return' drop box in the top left hand side corner (the default number is 50). Note: Because some models have a large number of variants you may wish to select more returns.
Select how you would like the vehicles to be sorted eg by overall rating, greenhouse rating, etc by using the 'Sort By' drop box (the default is to sort by the Overall Rating).
Click the 'Search' button to display the selected vehicles.

Searching for a specific vehicle(s)

'Search by more detailed criteria' function allows a user to search for a particular vehicle or a type of vehicle using more detailed selection criteria. For example, a search could be made for petrol vehicles which are 4WDs, or for a specific make and model.

To search for a specific vehicle, or for a type of vehicle, using more detailed search criteria:

From the Green Vehicle Guide homepage, select the 'ADVANCED SEARCH' option in the bottom right hand side corner.
Select criteria relevant to a vehicle or type of vehicle that you are interested in from the options in the 'DETAILED CRITERIA' box on the left hand side of the screen. You can make more than one selection to narrow down your search.
Select the number of models you would like to display, by using the 'Return' drop box in the top left hand side corner (the default number is 50). Note: Because some models have a large number of variants you may wish to select more returns.
Select how you would like the vehicles to be sorted eg by overall rating, greenhouse rating, etc by using the 'Sort By' drop box (the default is to sort by the Overall Rating).
Click the 'Search' button to display the selected vehicles.

Comparing vehicles

Having done a search, you can then compare a smaller number of selected vehicles from your search results.

To compare vehicles:

Click the tick box next to any vehicles of interest on the 'Search Results' page.
Click the 'View Shortlist' tab to display these vehicles in one list. You can go conduct more searches and these vehicles will remain available under the Compare function.

To remove a vehicle from the list click the tick box a second time.

Refining your search

When you have a set of results you can refine your search without having to go back to the main search page.

To refine your search/narrow down the number of returned results:

Click 'New Search' or 'Refine This Search' to open a search box allowing you to enter more specific search criteria.
Enter additional search criteria.
Click the 'Search' button to display results that match these new criteria.

Printing or Downloading the data

Use the 'Print' button at the top of the 'Search Results' page to print the data

Use the 'Download Results' button at the top of the 'Search Results' page to download the data. Follow the steps, choose your preferred file format and then choose the 'Printer Friendly Version' or 'Download' option.