Emissions from light commercial vehicles fell by 1.2% in 2013 to an average of 186.1g/km of CO2, according to a new report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Vans under two tonnes have already met the 2020 target to reduce average CO2 of 147g/km, while new vehicle arrivals in 2014 will bring down typical levels even further.
The Ford Transit Connect and Transit Courier, for instance, will help to pull down CO2 emissions in LCVs which are also subject to a 175g/km target between 2014 and 2017.
A shift in use in the van segment, particularly to higher-payload vehicles, has constrained the overall rate of progress, SMMT says.
“Improvements in vehicle efficiency have helped ensure emissions have not risen as steeply as van use,” the report concludes.
