New car sales rules: how fuel and CO₂ information requirements changed in 2025

In autumn 2025, new, EU-style rules for selling new passenger cars came into force in Ukraine: now sellers must provide buyers with official information on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for each model. The reform is designed to increase market transparency, protect consumer rights, and implement Ukraine’s climate commitments.

Background for Legislative Change
The main motive behind the reform was to harmonize Ukrainian information policy standards in the transport sector with EU requirements (Directive 1999/94/EC). These rules have been in place in Europe for over 20 years, aiming to:

• protect consumers when buying a car;
• promote eco-mobility and reduce the environmental impact of transport;
• foster fair competition.

For Ukraine, this is another step towards European integration, reducing deception in the market and encouraging buyers to choose based on efficiency and environmental factors rather than branding or image.

What Sellers Must Provide
The new rules apply only to the sale of new passenger vehicles (previously, such data were usually provided by importers and large showrooms):

• Label next to each vehicle. In showrooms, each vehicle must have an A4-sized label displaying the model, fuel type, official fuel consumption (liters per 100 km, rounded to a single decimal), and official CO₂ emissions (grams per kilometer, g/km).
• Posters/electronic displays. There must be a poster or electronic display in a prominent place listing all models available in the showroom, with corresponding consumption and emission data.
• Advertising and promotional materials. All print brochures, leaflets, internet advertisements, and other marketing materials must include data on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, and these figures must be as visible as the main content.
• Electronic directory by the Ministry of Economy. The Ministry of Economy will annually update an electronic directory with official data for all car models, available online for customers and experts.

How This Makes Customer Choice More Informed
Such a policy ensures every buyer receives standardized, reliable information about future running costs, encouraging the selection of more economical and environmentally friendly models. Market transparency motivates manufacturers and dealers to improve technical characteristics, while advertising can no longer conceal inefficiency or high pollution as every figure is audited by the Ministry of Economy.

Customer Recommendations and Education
Part of the new standards is an interactive online directory featuring not only numerical data, but also tips for economical driving, maintenance, tire pressure, and efficient car operation. Proper vehicle use can significantly reduce real fuel expenses and CO₂ emissions.

Features for Small Sellers and Dealers
The new rules come into effect 9 months after their publication, to allow all showrooms and small dealers to adapt, update materials, and align internal processes.

Perspectives and European Integration Benefits
Introducing uniform market information standards stimulates:

• increased customer trust and protection;
• preparation for transition to electric vehicles or hybrids;
• compliance with EU environmental quotas and requirements;
• simplified export and import of cars;
• clearer competition between car brands.

Conclusion
The new car sale rules, requiring full disclosure of official fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, implement European transparency standards, place responsibility on marketing accuracy, protect consumer rights, and take a real step towards reducing the impact of automobiles on Ukraine’s environment. An informed choice means less resource use and cleaner air for all.

Author: Ihor Yasko, Managing Partner of “WINNER” Law Firm, PhD in Law.