Emissions down 20%

THE SMMT’s tenth annual new car CO₂ report shows there’s ongoing reductions in average emissions of new cars.

The report reveals that 2010’s figures drop by 3.5 per cent on the previous year to 144.2g/km CO₂ (equivalent to about 50mpg), down by more than 20 per cent since 2000.

In 2010, almost 40 per cent of cars had emissions below 130g/km CO₂ – the European fleet emissions target for 2015. Also, nearly 40,000 vehicles were exempt from VED with emissions under 100g/km (equivalent to about 70mpg).

However the reductions were not seen with one particular model segment – all model sectors have seen reductions in emissions.

Luxury saloons and MPVs made the biggest reduction over the past year, falling 6.4 per cent and 6.0 per cent respectively on 2009 figures and executive (-28.1 per cent) and mini (-25.8 per cent) segments recorded the biggest improvements against the levels of 2000.

‘New technology has delivered impressive reductions in CO₂ emissions but coordinated action, to support research and development, new infrastructure and consumer incentives, is critical to securing significant future advances,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. ‘The economic and political challenges of high fuel prices, energy security and climate change are shared issues that must be addressed at an international level.’

Each of the four lowest emitting VED bands (ranging from 0 to 130g/km CO₂) increased in popularity with UK consumers representing almost 38.2 per cent of the new car market, compared to less than 0.9 per cent in 2000. This is a positive step as Europe heads for 130g/km CO₂ by 2015.