Fuel consumption data capture

This infosheet explains the requirements and processes for recording the fuel consumption data of a vehicle entering the New Zealand fleet, under section 7 (1) (e) of the Transport (Vehicle & Driver Registration Licensing) Act 1986.

 

Situation

The vast majority of motor vehicles are powered through the use of non-renewable fossil fuels. A major by-product of burning these fuels is carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

The New Zealand government has signed the Kyoto Protocol, which is an international agreement that addresses global warming and aims to reduce climate change by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions.

New Zealand ’s Kyoto Protocol target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level they were in 1990, or take responsibility for excess emissions.

The New Zealand government is establishing initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The first step is to establish a record of the fuel consumption data of light vehicles entering the fleet.

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2003 (the Emissions Rule) requires that vehicles manufactured on or after 1990 meet a recognised emissions standard, current at the time of manufacture. The exhaust emissions ‘test regime’ that the vehicle was manufactured to must be recorded. This demonstrates compliance with the Emissions Rule and identifies the test regime used to determine the vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Please refer to Infosheet 2.08 for further details on providing emissions data.

 

Clarification

From 28 February 2005, as part of the certification process, the following information must be recorded in the Ministry of Transport's Motor Vehicle Register:

• exhaust emissions data for motor vehicles manufactured after 1989 (except Classes AA, AB, and LA-LE), and
  
• fuel consumption data for used light vehicles imported from Japan that were manufactured after 1999 and new light vehicles manufactured after 2004.

 

• exhaust emissions and fuel consumption information is required only for petrol and diesel vehicles (including hybrid petrol and diesel powered vehicles).

 

The following flowchart illustrates which vehicles must record exhaust emissions and/or fuel consumption data (provided by the vehicle importer), when they enter the New Zealand vehicle fleet. Different decision paths are provided for new and used vehicles. You must determine what vehicle class your vehicle is in to use the flowchart. See Appendix 1 for descriptions of the vehicle classes.

 

Is exhaust emissions and/or fuel consumption required?
NEW VEHICLES:

 

Is exhaust emissions and/or fuel consumption required?
USED VEHICLES

 

Responsibility of importer

The vehicle importer is responsible for providing exhaust emissions and fuel consumption data. There are several ways the data can be obtained.

 

Providing fuel consumption data to your entry certifier

For used light vehicles from Japan manufactured after 1999, a fuel consumption statement must be provided to the entry certifier.

Fuel consumption information is optional for used Japanese vehicles manufactured before 2000 and for used vehicles from other countries. If fuel consumption information is available, it would be beneficial to record for statistical purposes.

Note: If you have fuel consumption data which is not in litres per 100 kilometres, eg a brand new vehicle from the USA, you may need to convert the values to the correct units. A conversion calculator is available at http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing/fuel-consumption/calculator.html

Process 1.1:

Requirements for new light vehicles requiring exhaust emissions and fuel consumption information

If the vehicle is a new light vehicle, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption data can be obtained from the manufacturer. In most cases, the data will be supplied and recorded on LANDATA directly by the manufacturer. The data must be provided as litres per 100 kilometres. If not, the vehicle importer must convert the fuel consumption data to the correct format using the calculation tables provided at http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing/fuel-consumption/calculator.html

 

Process 1.2:

Requirements for new heavy vehicles requiring only exhaust emissions information

For new heavy vehicles (ie vehicle classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC), the emissions test regime information will be required for vehicles manufactured after 1 January 2006. This information should be available from the vehicle manufacturer (see Infosheet 2.08).

 

Process 2.1:

Requirements for used light vehicles from Japan requiring exhaust emissions and fuel consumption information

If the vehicle is a used light vehicle previously from Japan manufactured after 1999, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption data can be obtained from an importers’ database website, found at http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing/fuel-consumption/. The database contains fuel consumption information for the majority of used ex-Japan vehicles. However, there may be some cases where fuel consumption information cannot be found, eg, the vehicle was manufactured in the 12 months preceding importation into New Zealand, the year of manufacture is uncertain, or the vehicle has been modified (see process 2.2).

WARNING: It is advisable to obtain the vehicle details, (de-registration or export certificate) and start the process of obtaining the fuel consumption information well before the vehicle arrives in New Zealand. It may take some time to locate and verify fuel consumption information that is not available on the importer’s database.

To obtain a fuel consumption statement from the importer’s database:

1. Input:
   • the industry model code and variant code from the de-registration or export certificate into the importers’ database
   • if the variant is not available, you will be prompted for other details such as the engine model code, weight (both available on the de-registration or export certificate), and transmission type
   • the chassis number or vehicle identification number (VIN).
2. If your vehicle is found, compare the make, model and submodel and vehicle details listed to check the information is correct.
3. Print the fuel consumption statement from the website, which will show:
   • the chassis number or VIN
   • the date the statement was produced
   • the make, model and submodel of the vehicle
   • the industry model code and the variant
   • the engine model code
   • a vehicle description if available
   • the exhaust emissions (test regime) and fuel consumption information.
   The fuel consumption information from the importers' database will be supplied in the correct format of litres per 100 kilometres.
   
   Note: For certain vehicles, such as vehicles not manufactured in Japan, the fuel consumption information may not be available, and will not be shown on the fuel consumption statement. You still need the fuel consumption statement to provide the correct exhaust emissions code.
4. Attach the ‘fuel consumption statement’ to the de-registration or export certificate and submit to the entry certifier.
5. The entry certifier records the information on LANDATA.

 

Process 2.2:

Requirements for used light vehicles from Japan
(fuel consumption information not found on the importer website)

If the vehicle is a used light vehicle previously registered in Japan but fuel consumption data is not available on the importers’ database:

1. First, check that the vehicle is:
   • manufactured on or after 1 January 2000, and
   • a light vehicle (ie vehicle class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2 or NA), and
   • a petrol or diesel vehicle.
2. If it is, you must obtain the fuel consumption information. Contact the Land Transport New Zealand Helpdesk to find out more about the correct procedures.
   • The Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers' Association, Inc (IMVDA) and the Motor Trade Association (MTA) are offering assistance to vehicle importers, for a fee.
   • If you have access to Japan Society of Automotive Engineers (JSAE) vehicle information books, you may be able to locate the vehicle (eg vans that may be listed in the commercial section). If you do locate the fuel consumption information, you must provide Land Transport New Zealand with verification of the data. This should be a page and line reference to the JSAE books and a copy of the vehicle de-registration or export certificate.
3. Land Transport New Zealand will verify the data and update the importers’ website.
4. Repeat process 2.1.

Process 3.1:

Used vehicles from Japan requiring exhaust emissions information only

If the vehicle is a used vehicle from Japan requiring exhaust emissions information, but not fuel consumption information (eg the vehicle is a class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, OR has a year of manufacture of 1990-1999):

1. The exhaust emissions data is the letter ‘J’, followed by the pre-fix of the ‘industry model code’ (up to 3 characters before the hyphen) on the de-registration or export certificate.

 

Process 3.2:

Used vehicles not from Japan requiring exhaust emissions information only

If the vehicle is a used vehicle from a country other than Japan and manufactured after 1989, fuel consumption data is not required, but exhaust emissions data must be provided. Refer to Infosheet 2.08 for further details on providing emissions data.

 

Obtaining exhaust emissions and fuel consumption data:
USED LIGHT VEHICLES (including parallel imports)

 

 

Appendix I: Vehicle classes

Class	Description
AA (Pedal cycle)	A vehicle designed to be propelled through a mechanism solely by human power.
AB (Power-assisted pedal cycle)	A pedal cycle to which is attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors having a combined maximum power output not exceeding 200 watts.
LA (Moped with two wheels)	A motor vehicle (other than a power-assisted pedal cycle) that: has two wheels; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 ml and a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h; or has a power source other than a piston engine and a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h.
LB (Moped with three wheels)	A motor vehicle (other than a power-assisted pedal cycle) that: has three wheels; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 ml and a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h; or has a power source other than a piston engine and a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h.
LB 1	A Class LB motor vehicle that has one wheel at the front and two wheels at the rear.
LB 2	A Class LB motor vehicle that has two wheels at the front and one wheel at the rear.
LC (Motor cycle)	A motor vehicle that: has two wheels; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml; or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h.
LD (Motor cycle and side-car)	A motor vehicle that: has three wheels asymmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median axis; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml; or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h.
Side-car	A car, box, or other receptacle attached to the side of a motor cycle and supported by a wheel.
LE (Motor tri-cycle)	A motor vehicle that: has three wheels symmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median axis; and has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding one tonne; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml; or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h.
LE 1	A Class LE motor vehicle that has one wheel at the front and two wheels at the rear.
LE 2	A Class LE motor vehicle that has two wheels at the front and one wheel at the rear.
Passenger vehicle	A motor vehicle that: is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers; and either: has at least four wheels; or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne.
MA (Passenger car)	A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MB or Class MC vehicle) that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver’s seating position).
MB (Forward control passenger vehicle)	A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MC vehicle): that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver’s seating position); and in which the centre of the steering wheel is in the forward quarter of the vehicle’s total length.
MC (Off-road passenger vehicle)	A passenger vehicle, designed with special features for off-road operation, that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver’s seating position), and that: has four-wheel drive; and has at least four of the following characteristics when the vehicle is unladen on a level surface and the front wheels are parallel to the vehicle’s longitudinal centre-line and the tyres are inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure: an approach angle of not less than 28 degrees; a breakover angle of not less than 14 degrees; a departure angle of not less than 20 degrees; a running clearance of not less than 200 mm; a front-axle clearance, rear-axle clearance, or suspension clearance of not less than 175 mm.
Omnibus	A passenger vehicle that has more than nine seating positions (including the driver’s seating position). An omnibus comprising two or more non-separable but articulated units shall be considered as a single vehicle.
MD (Light omnibus)	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 5 tonnes.
MD 1	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and not more than 12 seats.
MD 2	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and more than 12 seats.
MD 3	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 4.5 tonnes.
MD 4	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 4.5 tonnes but not exceeding 5 tonnes.
ME (Heavy omnibus)	An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 5 tonnes.
Goods vehicle	A motor vehicle that: is constructed primarily for the carriage of goods; and either: has at least four wheels; or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne. For the purpose of this description: a vehicle that is constructed for both the carriage of goods and passengers shall be considered primarily for the carriage of goods if the number of seating positions multiplied by 68 kg is less than 50% of the difference between the gross vehicle mass and the unladen mass; the equipment and installations carried on special purpose vehicles not designed for the carriage of passengers shall be considered to be goods; a goods vehicle that has two or more non-separable but articulated units shall be considered to be a single vehicle.
NA (Light goods vehicle)	A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
NB (Medium goods vehicle)	A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.
NC (Heavy goods vehicle)	A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 12 tonnes.
Trailer	A vehicle without motive power that is constructed for the purpose of being drawn behind a motor vehicle.
TA (Very light trailer)	A single-axled trailer that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 0.75 tonnes.
TB (Light trailer)	A trailer (other than a Class TA trailer) that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
TC (Medium trailer)	A trailer that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes.
TD (Heavy trailer)	A trailer that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 10 tonnes.