Transport

Average CO₂ emissions from new cars in the UK fell by the largest margin ever last year driven by the Government scrappage scheme and the recession, according to new figures.

The annual New Car CO₂ Report released earlier this week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicates that the average new car sold in the UK in 2009 had emission of 149.5g/km of CO₂, 5.4% less than in 2008.

The latest fall, which is the best on record, means that average car emissions are now over 21% lower than in 1997.

Despite criticism, the Government’s scrappage scheme does appear to have encouraged car buyers towards lower emission vehicles. The average car bought under the scheme emitted 133.3g/km, nearly 27% less than the average scrapped car.

The EU has set a target of average emissions of 130g/km for all new cars from 2015 onwards, which is now met by nearly a third of cars registered in the UK.

“Vehicle manufacturers have invested heavily in both improving conventional technologies and bringing advanced systems to market that reduce the environmental impact of new vehicles,” says Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

However, he warns that motorists may be discouraged from buying the lowest emission vehicles over the next few years unless the Government takes a long-term and consistent approach to incentives and vehicle taxes.

For further information:
www.smmt.co.uk/home.cfm
http://lib.smmt.co.uk/articles/news/News/SMMT%20New%20Car%20CO2%20Report%202010%20-%20summary.pdf