Average Emissions For New Cars In UK Fall For 17th Year In A Row, Rise Of EVs Playing A Part

Average emissions for new cars in the UK fell for the 17th year in a row in 2014, according to recently published data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The 2.9% fall in average carbon dioxide emissions in the UK is thought to partly be the result of rising electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid sales in the region, according to industry analysts.

Altogether, this recent fall to 124.6 grams per kilometer put the UK ahead of the European Union’s stated target of under 130 grams per kilometer (for 2015). Despite being ahead of the target, the UK is still behind the European Union average of 123.4 grams per kilometer (as per data from the European Environment Agency).

The new data shows that total (average) emissions for new cars have fallen by around a quarter just since 2007 — showcasing one of the main advantages of EV and hybrid adoption.

According to the SMMT, much of this trend has been the result of European Union regulations and UK initiatives.

“The UK automotive sector has made enormous strides in cutting emissions across the board and should be proud of its achievements,” stated Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “However, there is a long way to go, and meeting ambitious targets in 2020 will require ongoing support and investment.”

Worth noting here, is that some critics have argued that the figures provided by car manufacturers aren’t accurate — and that many of these new cars emit far higher levels of carbon dioxide than the manufacturers claim. On that note, a new testing protocol is set to energy use in 2017 — something that many manufacturers have fought hard to stall.

Image by Michal Wnuk ©