Environmental
Marketing of Green Vehicles: August 2003 - August 2005 Principle Investigator: Co- Investigators: The environmental characteristics of products have become increasingly important to consumers. Firms have responded by placing information on products that highlight the product's environmental attributes and by introducing new, or redesigned, "green" products. Governments and non-governmental organizations have also responded by organizing, implementing, and verifying environmental labeling and marketing programs, also known as eco-information programs, that cover thousands of products in more than 20 countries . From a policy perspective, one aim of eco-information programs is to educate consumers about the environmental impacts of product consumption, thereby leading to a change in purchasing behavior, and ultimately, to a reduction in negative environmental impacts. This research project seeks to implement and study the effects of an eco-labeling and marketing program for vehicles sold in Maine (under the auspices of a voluntary agreement between the State's Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Automobile Dealers Association and the Natural Resources Council of Maine). The research will assess whether eco-information programs are successful in altering consumers' awareness, perceptions and behavior, the research will compare survey and sales data collected before and after the program. Also, the research aims to measure how eco-information can be effective as a policy variable to change these factors. Further, the research aims to translate any changes in market behavior due to the program into changes in fuel consumption and air quality. For additional information concerning this research project, please contact the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy at (207)581-1648 or at mcsc@umit.maine.udu
Go back to the Environmental & Natural Resources Policy Research page. Page last updated on September 4, 2003
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