The average emission level of new cars dropped 3.5 per cent in 2010 to 144.2g/km CO2 (equivalent to about 50mpg) compared with the previous year.
The latest annual New Car CO2 Report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that average new car emission level is now down 20 per cent since 2000, showing encouraging progress within the motor industry.
Best of all, each of the four lowest emitting VED bands (ranging from 0 to 130g/km CO2) increased in popularity, 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 sign that the industry can reach a Europe-wide average for their vehicle fleets of 130g/km CO2 by 2015.
The report reveals that in 2010, almost 40 per cent of cars had emissions below 130g/km CO2 – the European fleet emissions target for 2015. Additionally, nearly 40,000 vehicles were exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) with emissions under 100g/km (equivalent to about 70mpg). Furthermore, reductions in average emissions were made across all model segments compared to 2009 levels, contributing to the significant drop over the past decade.
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%) and Mini (-25.8%) 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."
By 2012, 65 per cent of each manufacturer’s fleet must comply with the 130g/km target, with the proportion increasing towards total fleet compliance in 2015.
