UK vehicle CO2 emissions in decline for 19th year

The UK automotive industry has beaten CO2 targets for the 19th year in a row, according to a new report.

Carbon tailpipe emissions fell to an all-time low in 2016, with cars averaging just 120.1g/km, according to the annual SMMT New Car CO2 Report 2017.

This beats the previous year by 1.1 per cent and the figures show emissions to be down by more than a third since 2000.

Average new van CO2 reduced by 1.9 per cent, making the amount 173.7g/km, this is ahead of the deadline set for 2017 for the pan-European target of 175g/km.

The reduction is believed to be as a result of billions of pounds worth of investment in new engine, fuel and battery technology, and increasing the use of lightweight materials like aluminium and composites.

The emission decline is also said to be down to the growing alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) market, which sees consumers switch to diesel cars, which emit an average of 20 per cent less CO2 than petrol vehicles.

However, consumers have steered away from by diesel models in 2016, which has resulted progress slowing down.

In 2016, UK motorists registered a record number of diesel cars in 2016, but the market share for this fuel has declined by 0.8 percentage points.

The UK currently has the biggest market for zero emission cars, accounting for 23.8 per cent of EU electric and plug-in hybrid registrations in 2016. Despite this, AFV demand has decreased from 40.3 percent in 2015 to 22.12 per cent.

In addition to this, the popularity of SUVs over smaller cars continues to make CO2 reduction harder.

According to the report, if these trends continue, the UK’s contribution to the EU target of reducing CO2 emissions to 96g/km by 2021 will be much harder. The target would need to see a 20.9 per cent cut in CO2 emissions in the next five years.

One concern is the current scrutiny over diesel vehicles, for example the Mayor of London has called for diesel models to be scrapped, but the SMMT states that there has been failure in distinguishing between old models and the latest cleaner vehicles vehicles, which could have a negative effect on the future CO2 reduction progress.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented: “The automotive industry has some of the most challenging CO2 reduction targets of any sector and continues to deliver reductions as it has for nearly two decades.

“For this positive trend to continue, modern low emission diesels and AFVs such as plug-ins, hydrogen and hybrids must be encouraged with long term incentives.”

He continued: “Turning our back on any of these will undermine progress on CO2 targets as well as air quality objectives.

“The UK has a successful track record in encouraging these new technologies but this must be maintained through consistent approach to fiscal and other incentives.”