Average new car CO2 figures rise for first time in 20 years

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that carbon tailpipe emissions have risen for the first time since 1997, with new cars averaging 121.04g/km, up 0.8% on 2016.1

Last year, UK new car CO2 emissions fell for the 19th consecutive year and this is the first year the figure has risen since records began.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Industry has spent billions of pounds worth of investment in advanced engine, fuel and battery technologies to help drive down CO2 emissions. Customers reap the benefits of this investment in much improved fuel economy and hence lower bills compared with older models.

“Diesel cars, due to their greater fuel efficiency, typically emit on average 20 per cent less CO2 than the equivalent performance of a petrol-engined vehicle. It’s disappointing, therefore, to see these advances undermined by the backlash against cleaner, low emission diesels, with the recent drop in sales the prime cause of this increase in CO2 emissions.”

SMMT will publish its full comprehensive report on new car CO2 in March.