New car emissions fall to all-time low

New car emissions fell by their biggest margin yet last year, the latest report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals.

Helped by the recession and the scrappage scheme, new car sold in the UK in 2009 emitted just 149.5g/km of CO₂, down 5.4 per cent on the 2008 figure and 21.2 per cent better than the 1997 base level. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997.

Technological advancements made by the carmakers helped to reduce the emissions of new cars while a tax incentives, a suppressed economy and the scrappage incentives helped boost the sales of these new breed of greener cars.

Reductions in average emissions were made across all model segments with MPVs (-28.6 per cent) and 4x4s (-27.4 per cent) making the biggest improvement against their 1997 base levels. Minis and specialist sports cars made the biggest reduction over the past year falling 6.7 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively on 2008 figures.

2009 saw the 12^th successive annual drop in average new car CO₂ emissions as the scrappage scheme steered motorists towards selecting more fuel-efficient models. The average car bought under the scheme emitted just 133.3g/km, 26.8 per cent less CO₂ than the average scrapped car.

In total, 27.6 per cent of the cars registered in the UK in 2009 emitted less than 130g/km, the target set in the European CO₂ regulation for 2015. In addition, showing the influence of the CO₂-based road tax system, Band E (131-140g/km) proved the most popular with new car buyers, compared to Band H (166-175g/km) in 1997.

Commenting on the report Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive said: “Vehicle manufacturers have invested heavily in both improving conventional technologies and bringing advanced systems to market that reduce the environmental impact of new vehicles. Whilst scrappage incentives made a positive contribution to fleet renewal in 2009, there is a risk that over the next few years, motorists may be deterred from investing in the latest technology. Developing a long-term and consistent approach to vehicle taxation and environmental incentives will be important in maintaining the current rate of improvement.”

The adoption of the new car CO₂ regulation in December 2009 set a phase-in target for vehicle manufacturers to ensure their average fleet emissions do not exceed 130g/km by 2015.

The full New Car CO₂ Report 2010, published by SMMT, can be accessed on www.smmt.co.uk