New car CO2 emissions rise for first time in 14 years

New figures by the Department for Transport show that rising petrol car sales have pushed overall CO2 emissions from cars up for the first time in 14 years.

The data uncovered by Buyacar.co.uk, an online car retailer, show that the average new car sold in 2017 produces more CO2 than one sold in 2016, reversing a continuous decline in emissions of the greenhouse gas since the figures were first published by the government in 2003.

Industry figures attributed the rise to the slump in sales of diesel cars which are generally more efficient, and produce less CO2, than an equivalent petrol model.

After recent tax rises, the threat of widespread inner city charges for older diesel cars and new findings about the harmful effects of fumes diesel sales have declined by 16 per cent so far this year.

Official government statistics for the first ten months of 2017 show that the average new car produces 121.1g of CO2 per kilometre. The full annual figure is on course to exceed the 120.3g/km recorded last year. It ends a 14 year trend of falling CO2 emissions, which have declined by 4.02g/km annually since 2003.

The information is based on data on new car registrations, collected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Austin Collins, managing director of BuyaCar.co.uk, said: “Many customers now tell us that they’re avoiding diesel even if it means spending more on fuel.

“Although switching to petrol makes good financial sense for some - especially with plenty of economical petrol, hybrid or electric cars available - diesel’s fuel economy still makes it a good option for long-distance drivers or SUV buyers at the moment.”

Car manufacturers are under pressure to meet an EU target of cutting average car CO2 emissions across the industry to 95g/km by 2021, but the recent backlash against diesel has shattered their strategy of meeting the target by selling more efficient diesel cars.

Although sales of new electric and hybrid cars have increased by 35 per cent this year, this only represents an extra 28,611 cars compared with 2016. The number of new diesel cars sold has fallen by more than 190,000.

Tamzen Isacsson, director of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “If industry is to meet challenging CO2 targets getting more of the latest low emission diesels onto our roads is crucial, as they can emit 20 per cnet less CO2 than the equivalent petrol models.”

Isacsson blamed “confusion around government air quality plans and taxation” for the drop in diesel sales, and warned: ”If new diesel car registrations continue on this negative trend, UK average new car CO2 levels could indeed rise this year”.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We will seek to maintain ambitious targets and our leadership position, and intervening firmly if not enough progress is being made.

“Our ambitious Clean Growth Strategy … includes investing nearly £1.5 billion in accelerating the rollout of ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020 – generating business opportunities and leading to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”