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Britain faces EU legal action, over failure to introduce rules increasing consumer information about car economy and clean exhausts.

The European Commission has threatened Britain with legal action over the UK Government's failure to introduce EU rules increasing consumer information about car economy and clean exhausts.

The new legislation was due to be adopted by member states more than six months ago, but Britain and seven other EU countries have failed to do so, says the commission.

Under the rules, new car showrooms are required to display statistics about each model's fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Under threat alongside the UK for failing to implement the law are France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal.

"It is important for consumers to consider the potential environmental consequences of buying a new car," said environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom.

"I would urge each of these member states to make the necessary legal provisions as soon as possible. That was what they promised when they signed up to this directive."

Initial warning letters were first despatched in April, giving the eight governments two months to reply. Only Britain did so, sending Brussels details of draft legislation to introduce the EU directive.

More information available in Eco Motoring