Average new car CO2 emissions fall again: down 10.7 per cent in seven years

• New incentives for greener cars to be approved by European Commission this week

The average new car sold in 2005 emitted 10.7 per cent less CO₂ than models registered in 1997, according to the latest SMMT New Car Registrations by CO₂ Performance report. Based on data from every new car registered last year, the figures also show a 1.2 per cent year-on-year drop from 171.4 g/km in 2004 to 169.4 g/km in 2005.

SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said, ‘SMMT’s latest data shows the progress we are making to bring ever cleaner vehicles to the market place. We need an integrated approach if we are to keep making good progress. In addition to our technological advances, buyers need incentives to encourage them into cleaner vehicles. We hope the European Commission will soon give the go-ahead for the new Low Carbon Car Grants to help new car buyers in the UK. Following the collapse of the Powershift programme some 18 months ago, this should bring a stable long-term and technology neutral approach to grant funding.’

SMMT New Car Registrations by CO₂ Performance 2006 shows that in 2005:

• The percentage of new cars with CO₂ emissions of under 140 g/km has risen to 18 per cent; a rise from 3.9 per cent in 1997, and from 15.5 per cent in 2004
• This fall in CO₂ has been matched by a 13.9 per cent improvement in mpg levels
• The average emission from a new car sold to private buyers has fallen 1.1 per cent, down to 172.3g/km – its lowest ever level. This was the same improvement as the company car market
• Over half the new car market is now under 160 g/km CO₂ levels have fallen by 20.4g/km per new vehicle since 1997
• 34.1 per cent of the new car market falls in the lowest three VED bands; up from just 7.8 per cent in 1997.
• Despite a 15 per cent increase in the total UK vehicle parc since 1997, total emissions from cars fell one per cent.
• Registrations of alternative-fuelled vehicles increased 48 per cent in 2005.

Download the report by clicking below

Notes:

1. SMMT’s CO₂ database is compiled with figures supplied by manufacturers from the first registration document which are checked with type approval data from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).

2. The data in the report looks at total new car registrations by CO₂ values, not merely ACEA, JAMA or KAMA members. ACEA is the European vehicle manufacturers’ trade association, JAMA the Japanese equivalent and KAMA the Korean equivalent.

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