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publication date: Mar 9, 2010
Average new car CO2 emissions fell by their biggest ever margin last year with the impact of recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme boosting the continued influence of technological advances made by vehicle manufacturers, according to the annual New Car CO2 Report released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The average new car sold in the UK in 2009 emitted just 149.5g/km of CO2, down 5.4% on the 2008 figure and 21.2% better than the 1997 base level. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997.
In spite of last month’s comments by the Government detailing more moves to encourage the rapid adoption of environmentally-friendly vehicle technology, the latest Company Car Trends report from GE Capital’s Fleet Services business shows that only 2% of vehicles in the surveyed fleets are electric.
Whilst these statistics clearly call into question the success of previous measures that have been put into practice, the challenges faced by electric vehicles concerning infrastructure and range capability remain and, as such, they will continue to be “marginal” vehicle for fleets in the short to medium term. However, 54% of fleet managers do see environmental issues as an important consideration, reflected in more than one quarter (28%) of respondents investing in hybrid vehicles for their fleets.
New car sales collapsed by 30pc in Germany last month as fallout continued over the end of scrappage incentives.
Wary car buyers were holding onto their money rather than buying new cars, reports J D Power and Associates in its monthly look at European registrations.
Car sales grew 4.4pc to 943,500 units in western Europe as strong demand in France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. offset a 30pc drop in the German market, according to J.D. Power and Associates.
Around 287,000 visitors have passed through the halls of Palexpo since the 80th Geneva International Motor Show was officially opened last Thursday.