Speaking today at the Living in a Low Carbon World 2008 conference, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt highlighted the steady progress made by industry to reduce carbon emissions. Latest figures show that the average UK new car CO2 in the first quarter of 2008 was 161.4g/km, which is a 3.5g/km or 2.1% improvement on the 2007 full year average.
“Data for the first quarter of this year shows that motorists are benefiting from the lower carbon cars made available by vehicle manufacturers,” said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt. “As well as being safer and more secure than ever before, new cars are becoming ever more fuel-efficient, this is good for consumers and the environment.”
“New technology is fundamental to achieving progress, but we need to see measures that incentivise the take up of lower carbon cars,” continued Everitt. “The motor industry is committed to continuous improvement, but wants to see an integrated approach to reducing overall emissions from road transport – one that addresses fuels, infrastructure and driver behaviour.”
The one day conference, held at The Royal Geographical Society in London, addressed issues surrounding sustainable development and debated the challenges that government, business and communities are facing. Chaired by James Naughtie of Radio 4’s Today programme, the intended outcome of the event is an assessment of the changes climate change will require of our culture and behaviours – including transport supplies and energy policies. More from http://www.lowcarbonworld.com/
For more, and a table detailing the first quarter 2008 new car market by 2009 new car VED bands, please download
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