Carbon efficiency of new cars is increasing
Preliminary data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA) show that new passenger cars registered in the European Union (EU) in 2010 are emitting 3.7 % less CO2 per kilometre travelled than new cars from 2009. The average CO2 emissions of a new passenger car in the EU27 were 140.3 g CO2 per km in 2010 compared to 145.7 g CO2 per km in 2009.
The transport sector is the second largest source of CO2 emissions in the EU. Road transport alone accounted for about one fifth of total EU CO2 emissions in 2009 and its emissions increased by 23% between 1990 and 2009.
In 2009, the EU adopted targets for average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars as part of its strategy to reduce emissions from transport. The legislation sets target values of 130 g CO2 per km to be met by 2015 and of 95 g CO2 per km by 2020. These target values will be phased in gradually.
In Switzerland, the Federal Council has made a similar proposition, namely to reduce average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars to 130 g CO2 per km by 2015. The Parliament has agreed to this counterproposel to the "Offroader-Initiative", which as an answer to the government's intentions has been conditionally withdrawn.
> Press release Federal roads office FEDRO (German)
European Environment Agency EEA
