Saudi Arabia is bringing fuel economy labelling into the showroom. The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center has begun a two-week awareness campaign explaining the updated label that will apply to 2027 model-year vehicles. The campaign gives buyers a practical tool for comparing cars before purchase.
What is the campaign about?
The campaign carries the title “A label you know.” It goes beyond announcing a new sticker. The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center wants motorists to read the label confidently and understand what the figures mean. The campaign addresses anyone buying a new car. It also covers dealers, agents, online sales platforms, and leasing companies. Consequently, the information reaches across the entire purchase journey.
What does the label actually show?
The updated system uses three label formats. Each format reflects the vehicle’s drivetrain type. Petrol and other internal combustion vehicles show fuel consumption in kilometres per litre. Electric vehicles display equivalent efficiency alongside battery capacity. Plug-in hybrid models carry combined efficiency data covering both the engine and the battery.
In addition, every label uses a seven-step performance scale. The scale runs from green for the most efficient vehicles through to red for the least efficient. Therefore, a buyer can judge a car’s efficiency rating at a glance without needing technical knowledge.
Who oversees the labelling standard?
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation manages efficiency labelling across a wide range of products. It also publishes annual vehicle fuel-economy reports. SASO has set out a clear timetable for the new standard. Implementation for 2027 model-year vehicles begins on 1 January 2027. However, earlier enforcement steps apply to customs, manufacturers, and local markets before that date. As a result, the supply chain has time to prepare.
Why does this matter for electric vehicle buyers?
For electric vehicle buyers, the label change is particularly significant. Comparing EV efficiency has been inconsistent across markets. The new format brings battery capacity and equivalent efficiency onto a single, standardised display. Consequently, a buyer can place one EV model directly alongside another. This makes range and efficiency comparisons far more practical.
For example, a buyer choosing between two electric SUVs can now read equivalent efficiency figures from the same label format. The colour-coded scale adds another layer of quick comparison. In contrast to the previous system, the updated label covers every drivetrain type within one consistent framework.
How does this fit the wider energy picture in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has been building out energy efficiency regulation across multiple sectors. The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center sits within that broader structure. The new labelling campaign shows the regulatory focus moving toward consumer-facing communication. Therefore, the goal is behaviour change at the point of sale, not only compliance in the supply chain.
Meanwhile, the Gulf region is seeing growing interest in fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. Running costs matter to buyers. Resale value is affected by a vehicle’s efficiency rating. As a result, the label has commercial weight beyond its regulatory function.
When will buyers start seeing the new label?
The new label applies to 2027 model-year vehicles from 1 January 2027. However, the awareness campaign is already running. The two-week drive gives dealers and consumers time to become familiar with the format before it becomes mandatory. In addition, the campaign material is directed at online platforms and leasing firms, so the information spreads across every sales channel.
The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center’s decision to run an education campaign ahead of the deadline is a considered move. Buyers who already understand the label will use it more confidently when 2027 models arrive in showrooms. For the EV market specifically, consistent and readable efficiency data can shape purchasing decisions in meaningful ways. Clearer labels mean better-informed buyers. That outcome benefits the entire market.
