Consumers are keen to see printed labels added to cars that would reveal how polluting they are to the atmosphere.

At present, vehicles are only required by law to detail their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as part of the information for buyers.

However, a poll by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk found that 89 per cent of people would like to see environmental ratings on new cars list all the gases they produce.

Not only do vehicles produce CO2, but they also emit damaging substances including nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Volvo has already begun lobbying the government to make printed environmental labels law, but TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk editor Faye Sunderland said others should do the same.

"Consumers should have easy access to the full data so they can make informed choices about the type of car they are buying," she added.

According to Environmental Protection UK, road transport accounts for 22 per cent of Britain's total CO2 emissions.

Denny Bros Ltd, 08 July 2011