New cars' typical CO2 emissions 'have dropped'

Date: 30/6/2011

There was an almost four per cent drop noted in the average carbon emissions produced by new vehicles in Europe last year.

According to the European Environment Agency, this is the second largest annual decline ever to be recorded.

Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said that the results demonstrate that setting carbon emissions reduction targets helps to stimulate the automotive sector into producing greener vehicles.

She noted that such innovations also helped the continent's motor industry to stay competitive within the changing global marketplace.

During the 12 months, carbon emissions produced by new passenger cars fell by 3.7 per cent.

Commenting on the news, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders claimed that the Car Scrappage Scheme in the UK was one of the initiatives that helped to achieve these results.

Chief Executive of the group Paul Everitt said: "Investment in low and ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies has delivered impressive reductions in CO2 emissions, but sustained action, to support research and development, new infrastructure and consumer incentives will be essential if we are to sustain and improve the rate of progress."

Posted by Nick Anderson