SMMT claims CO2 emissions victory

The development of cleaner, greener cars by manufacturers has been identified as the reason. It means the average new car CO2 emissions has been reduced by almost 12 per cent since 1997, falling to 167.2g/km.

The current annual CO2 emissions saving is now approaching a million tonnes, claims the SMMT. “Car makers have made significant progress in cutting CO2,” said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. “Total CO2 emissions in the UK from cars have fallen since 1997, down 3.2 per cent from 72.2 million to 69.9 million tonnes in 2005. That's despite a 16.5 per cent rise in cars on the road from 26.3 to 30.7 million.”