U.K. Average Vehicle CO2 Emissions Down 20% in Five Years

A move toward low-emission and maximum fuel efficiency in the U.K. reveals 55.4% of new vehicles registered last year produced less than 130 g/km of carbon-dioxide emissions, the average target set by Europe for auto makers to achieve by 2015.

A report issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders finds the number of sub-100 g/km CO2 vehicles in the region more than doubled their share of the U.K. market to 8.2% in 2012.

An analysis of the emissions of all new cars registered in the region shows a continued trend in falling CO2 and improved fuel efficiency, with 2012 emissions improving 3.6% year-on-year to 133.1 g/km CO2 (the equivalent to 53.4 mpg), down more than 26% since 2000.

The SMMT says vehicle manufacturers have concentrated on providing low-carbon models across all types and sizes of vehicles.

Average emissions over the past five years across all segments dropped almost 20%, with larger vehicles making the biggest improvements. Executive cars cut CO2 25%, while Specialist Sports and Dual Purpose vehicles improved 24.7% and 23.1%, respectively.

Report author Matthew Croucher says the industry can be proud of the progress it has made in reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency by more than 25% since 2000.

“Future environmental and economic success will be determined by sustained investment in new technology, (research and development), infrastructure and consumer incentives,” Croucher says in a statement.

“We are seeing improvement in conventional technologies and the emergence of a range of alternative technologies, creating one of the most innovative periods for the global automotive industry.”

Achieving record market share, diesel and alternatively fueled vehicles continued their rise in popularity, taking 50.8% and 1.4% of the 2012 market, respectively. Gasoline-electric hybrids accounted for 85% of all AFV sales, with an average CO2 output of 98.7 g/km, some 26% below the U.K. average.

Though market development is in its early stages, electric and plug-in-vehicle sales surged 111.8% in 2012 to 2,237 units, aided by the introduction of new models and a government plug-in car grant.

The SMMT says the U.K. auto industry is a global leader in low-carbon R&D, productivity and quality, exporting its products around the world.

“To retain this position and meet the stringent EU legislative target of 95 g/km CO2 by 2020, successive governments must commit to a strong long-term industrial policy that provides the certainty required by international firms to sustain investments in low carbon R&D in the U.K.,” the group says.

“Government needs to provide consistency on taxation and maintain and expand incentives…which encourage consumers to move towards low-carbon and more fuel-efficient technologies.”