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New fuel-economy labels on vehicle Monroneys will not feature letter grades to denote performance.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency confirm the stickers will launch in model-year ’13 and “give consumers better, more complete information” to describe vehicle performance under new fuel-economy standards.

Critics long have assailed current labeling because it does not accurately reflect real-world performance.

The new rating system, which prominently highlights average annual fuel-cost estimates, also denotes powertrain types such as plug-in hybrid or electric and allows for cost-based technology comparisons.

Auto makers may voluntarily adopt the new labels beginning with ’12 vehicles.

“Our new fuel economy and environmental labels are a win for automobile consumers and for the nation’s energy independence,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Also featured on each new sticker will be a “QR Code.”

Devised by Denso Wave, a division of Japan-based Denso, the code will allow smartphone users – with the aid of special applications – to access more detailed vehicle information online.