Focus on CO₂ - new car performance improves again in 2007

• Emissions down 13.1 per cent since 1997, from 189.8 to 164.9 g/km (grams per kilometre) saving an estimated one million tonnes CO₂ each year.
• 1.4 per cent reduction in average new car CO₂ 2007 v 2006 market.
• Reduction follows move to diesel, small cars and, more recently, growth in alternatively fuelled vehicles, up from 9,439 units in 2006 to 16,640in 2007.

 

• The number of new cars registered with sub-120g/km CO₂ emissions rose to 5.3 per cent - the highest ever level - more than two and half times the rate recorded in 2002.
• The share of the market under 140g/km reached 23.3 per cent in 2007, almost six times the rate recorded in 1997.
• The drive to diesel has helped fuel the drop in average new car CO₂. In 2000, the new car diesel market numbered just 303,925 units. By the end of 2007 it had reached 967,436 units, a threefold increase.

'This is further evidence of the progress made by car makers in driving down CO₂,' said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. 'The industry will continue to invest in the technologies that bring greener cars to market, and is committed to working in partnership with government and other stakeholders through initiatives like ActOnCO₂, to drive home greener motoring messages to our customers.'

Diesel penetration hits record high

• Diesel-powered cars represented over 40 per cent of the 2007 market, their highest ever share. Volumes rose by 68,915 units to a record 967,436 units in the year. The gains reflect better fuel consumption, stronger performance and lower CO₂ emissions - a package more consumers demand in the showroom.
• Diesel penetration is expected to improve further in 2008.