A study conducted by DrivenData has revealed that average new car CO2 emissions fell 5.6 per cent in the past 12 months.
‘This 5.6 per cent drop represents the fastest progress made by carmakers in a 12-month period during the last five years,’ says DrivenData, which used its new car database to source the necessary statistics.
In 2006 figures dropped by just two per cent while in 2008, they fell by 3.3 per cent. In 2009, the figures were slightly better at 3.6 per cent.
Taking these previous numbers into account, this year’s 5.6 per cent decrease shows signs of good progress. But the industry is being warned not to become complacent, as a lot more work is needed if carmakers are to meet the EU’s 2012 reduction target of a fleet average of 130g/km.
If emissions were to fall by 5.6 per cent over the next two years, emissions in 2012 would stand well over this target at 152.16g/km, according to DrivenData.
A DrivenData spokeperson commented: “Carmakers will be encouraged to see that they have collectively reduced average emissions at a faster rate this year."
“Much will depend on the emergence of plug-in hybrids and EVs, which means the government needs to commit wholeheartedly to funding an alternative fuel recharging network in the UK."