SMMT reports C02 emissions falling at fastest rate on record.
The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and traders) has reported that in 2008, C02 emissions from cars fell by their biggest ever margin. The average model now emits only 158.0 g/km which is 4.2% less than the 2007 figure and 16.8% down on the 1997 base level figure of 189.8g/km .
A copy of the SMMT new car C02 report can be downloaded from the SMMT website. The report contains many useful facts about the impact the car industry has on CO2 emissions, generally. The overall message is this is falling, with cars now accounting for only 11.5% of the country’s total CO2 emissions.
This fall is a combination of new technology, improved fuel efficiencies and better customer awareness. Paul Everitt, the SMMT chief executive said ” The motor industry has made enormous progress in its work to cut the environmental impacts of its products but more must be done if the tough targets set by European legislation are to be met”.
The target for all manufacturers, to be achieved by 2015, is to reduce their average fleet emissions to 130 g/km and for this target to be met, the annual improvement must continue at 2.5%.