The fleet of 2010 model year vehicles sold in the UK posted carbon dioxide emissions of 144.2 grams per kilometer CO2, a reduction of 3.5 percent over the numbers reported in 2009, according to the SMMT’s 10th annual CO2 report. For the sake of comparison, the UK’s 2010 fleet spewed 20 percent less emissions than its counterpart did way back in 2000.
The 3.5 percent drop in emissions for 2010 is one of the highest on record in the UK, but it’s not as dramatic as the 5.4 percent reduction that happened from 2008 to 2009. Last year, cars in the sub-130g/km territory represented almost 40 percent of the UK’s vehicle market and approximately 40,000 vehicles fell into the sub-100g/km of CO2 category. SMMT’s chief executive officer, Paul Everitt, released this statement outlining the UK’s drive to reduce emissions:
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.
With ultra-clean vehicles like the plug-in hybrid Opel Ampera and electric Nissan Leaf headed to dealers in the UK, we’d like to think that CO2 emissions will continue to follow a downward path.
[Source: Low C VP]
16 March 2011
Emissions of new cars fell to an average of 144.2g/km CO2 (equivalent to 50mpg) and by 3.5% in 2010 according to the SMMT’s 10th annual CO2 report. Average CO2 emissions from new cars have fallen by over 20% since 2000.
The 2010 CO2 emissions fall is one of the highest annual reductions on record but lower than the 5.4% improvement recorded between 2008 and 2009. It appears, though, that the rate of improvement in emissions slowed in the second-half of 2010. An earlier report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that average new car CO2 emissions fell 4.7% in the first half of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. The scrappage scheme, which ended in March 2010, was certainly a significant factor in this trend.
Cars in the sub-130g/km CO2 category represented almost 40% of the market in 2010 compared with less than 1% in 2000. Nearly 40,000 vehicles were exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) with emissions under 100g/km (equivalent to about 70mpg).
According to the report, reductions in average emissions were made across all model segments compared with 2009 levels, contributing to the significant drop over the past decade. Luxury saloons and MPVs made the biggest reduction over the past year, falling 6.4% and 6.0% respectively on 2009 figures. Executive (-28.1%) and Mini (-25.8%) segments recorded the biggest improvements against the levels of 2000.
Paul Everitt, SMMT’s Chief Executive said at the report launch: “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.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.”
For more information or to view the full report, please follow the associated links.
