A Decade of Cutting Emissions Pays Off

It was about a decade ago that the governments began imposing emission limits on a large scale for the automotive industry, and now it would appear that all the pain and suffering has been worth while. At least, this is how the situation looks according to the New Car CO2 Report released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In all, since 2000, the CO2 emission levels in new cars have dropped by 20 percent , and it would appear there's no stopping the impressive decline. Last year, the levels of CO2 released by cars into the air dropped by 3.5 percent compared to 2009, now standing at an average per car of 144.2g/km CO2, or the equivalent of 50 mpg (4.7l/100 km).

In 2010, out of the total cars sold in the UK, some 40 percent of them came with the promise of emissions below 130g/km, a figure that happens to be the European fleet emissions target for 2015 (demonstrating, once again, that the target can be met by the auto makers selling in Europe). The performance of the auto makers was reflected in the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), with 40,000 vehicles being exempt from paying if they release into the air 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.”