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Scrappage incentive has cleaned up air quality, but faces challenges
publication date: Oct 14, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
The UK car scrappage scheme has accelerated the average fall in CO2 emissions but may create future problems, says an analyst.
Jay Nagley, Publisher of www.cleangreencars.co.uk, reports the
average emissions fell by 5.5pc in the first nine months of this year
and is rolling down to 150.6 g/km, that’s a record 8.8 g/km less than a
year ago or an improvement of 5.49pc.
The current rate of improvement would enable the car industry to meet
the EU target of 130 g/km of CO2 by 2012. In fact one manufacturer has
just dipped below that all-important figure in the UK: Toyota has
dropped to 129.2 g/km, leapfrogging both Mini and Fiat, who are
hovering just above the 130 g/km threshold. | “It is highly significant that a major manufacturer has
met the EU target, as it means no mainstream car manufacturer has an
excuse for failing to meet the target in future.” said Nagley,
Toyota’s performance stems from three actions it has taken over the
last few years: It made the unusual decision to drop three models from
its UK line-up that had higher emissions – the MR2, the Previa and the
Celica. That was done with the specific goal of reducing average CO2.
At the same time it increased the range of its small cars – e.g. the
new iQ.
The Toyota Optimal Drive system has reduced emissions across the range
and the Prius hybrid, particularly the latest version, has made a small
but noticeable difference to the average CO2 figure.
Amongst other manufacturers to make significant gains are Hyundai, now
with the fourth lowest average emissions in the UK (134.4 g/km) and
Audi, which has cut emissions by 9.6pc to 158.2 g/km and is now one
place behind BMW (154.7 g/km).
In terms of absolute tones of CO2 saved, Ford continues to have the
largest reduction, with just over 10,000 tonnes saved on an annualised
basis - mostly thanks to the more economical new Ka and Fiesta.
This figure is calculated by taking the average reduction per Ford sold
(8.66 g/km) and multiplying by the average mileage in the UK (13,000
km) and then by the total number of Fords sold this quarter (89986
units).
While the industry can congratulate itself on these figures, there is a
dark cloud inside the silver lining. Once scrappage incentives come to
an end, CO2 figures will start to rise unless the industry works very
hard to maintain progress, he added. | | The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
has welcomed the first Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report to
Parliament on government progress towards meeting its carbon budget by
2020.
The Committee identifies three areas in which it believes a reduction
in emissions can be achieved from road transport - improving the
efficiency of petrol and diesel-powered cars, widespread roll-out of
electric cars with the appropriate refuelling infrastructure and
emission reductions from consumer behaviour change.
The report recognises that the automotive industry has made significant
cuts in the environmental impact of its products, and that in the long
term more achievements can be made by pursuing a portfolio of
technologies, including traditional petrol and diesel engines through
to hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles, as long as the
infrastructure is there to support it.
Commenting on the report, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt, said, "The
Committee recognises that a portfolio of technologies will deliver
emissions reductions in the medium term and that if longer term targets
are to be achieved, incentives and an integrated approach between
industry, fuel companies and government will be crucial for the uptake
of electric vehicles.
"Industry, through the work of the New Automotive Innovation and Growth
Team, has established a technology roadmap and researched priorities to
enable widespread delivery of ultra-low carbon transport solutions," he
concluded. | | | | |
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