New car CO2 figures continue to improve

Average new car CO₂ figure down 4.7% in first half of 2010 to 145.2g/km, compared with the same period in 2009. Registrations of alternatively fuelled cars doubled over this period. Some concern that rate of improvement may slow, but new technologies constantly emerging.

“Continued vehicle manufacturer efforts to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions has further reduced average CO₂ output during a better than anticipated first half of 2010,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.  “The remainder of the year is set to be challenging, especially post the scrappage scheme.  All manufacturers are committed to offering ever more efficient products through the introduction of increasingly efficient engines and alternative technologies.”

Average new car CO₂ figure has fallen in every month of 2010. Rate of improvement has cooled following the exceptional impact of the Scrappage Incentive Scheme. Registrations of alternatively fuelled cars have more than doubled to 11,468 units in the first half of the year, and grew by 157.4% in June. Registrations of ‘signposted’ eco-models* have risen by 141.4% in the first half of 2010 to almost 74,000 units and by almost 850% on the first half of 2008.