Cars are responsible for less of the UK’s annual CO2 emissions today than back in 2000, despite an increase in car numbers of 4 million, a new report from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals.
Cars in the UK generate 14 per cent of all the CO2 emissions in the UK, according to the finding of the Energy use and CO2 emissions report from the leading road safety charity-marginally less than they did in 2000.
While carbon emissions from all forms of road transport continue to rise, the rate from cars fell from 196 grams of CO2 per km in 1997 to 174 grams CO2 per km in 2008. Total UK emissions are forecast to increase but those from cars are set to continue falling driven by improvements in fuel economy. New car economy has improved by a quarter, mostly in the last ten years.
Other findings from the report include that people perceive that cars and aircraft are the two biggest carbon polluters in the UK, when in fact the top two are power stations and industry. In fact, households produce as much CO2 as cars.
IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “Despite what many green experts may say, Britain’s drivers and the motoring industry are doing their bit to reduce carbon emissions. Drivers are shifting to greener engines and have embraced incentives like cheaper vehicle excise duty for more fuel efficient models.
“Manufacturers should also take credit for producing models across the range that are cleaner and greener. But driving style is crucial – the best fuel-saver is a light right foot and anticipation of the road ahead.”
The full report is available here: Energy use and CO2
