Average CO2 emissions fall 3.5% in the UK

The average CO2 emission levels in the UK are converging towards the 2015 European goal. In 2010 the UK registered an average emission level of 144.2g/km CO2, which represents a cut of 3.5% when compared to the 2009 levels.

In its’ latest annual New Car CO2 Report, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that since 2010 the average new car emission level has fallen by 20%.

Cars with CO2 emissions between 0 and 130g/km have increased in popularity and now represent almost 38.2 per cent of the new car market. This is a positive indicator that the automotive industry is closer to complete the European directives of lowering the average emissions of vehicle fleets to 130g/km CO2 until 2015.

The SMMT report states that almost 40 per cent of new cars in the UK in 2010 had emissions below 130g/km and nearly 40,000 vehicles were exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) with emissions under 100g/km.

"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.