Portugal led Europe for low-CO2-emitting cars in the first three months of 2008, new analysis showed.
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The average new car in Portugal emits 139.3g/km, compared to an average of 154.8g/km for new cars sold across 21 countries in Europe in the first quarter of 2008, London-based Jato Dynamics said on Friday.
France, second with average CO2 outputs of 140.2g/km, is the only other EU country to have achieved the European Automobile Manufacturers Association’s (ACEA) 1998 commitment to achieve an average of 140g/km for all new passenger vehicles sold in the EU.
France, which introduced tax incentives at the beginning of 2008, has since seen a marked decrease in average CO2 emissions.
Average vehicle CO2 emissions there fell 5.8% after previously falling only 3% in four years.
Portugal has long led Europe in terms of low emission car on the roads, thanks in part to taxation which has traditionally favoured vehicles with smaller engines.
Other EU countries, including the UK and Germany, are planning similar incentive and taxation schemes – Britain’s government has recently faced an outcry over plans to retrospectively apply steep rises in annual ‘road tax’ for some vehicles bought new as far ago as 2001.
The recent G8 summit focused on technology solutions to CO2 emissions, “but evidence from France and Portugal indicates taxation policies and incentives have a substantial effect in curbing CO2 emissions by proactively influencing consumer choice”, Jato said
While average CO2 emissions of new cars remains outside ACEA targets, the data showed a record decrease in the past year, providing “an outside chance that EU objectives of 120 g/km by 2012 may yet be achieved”, the researchers added.
Denmark and Finland both made notable strides by slashing 9.1% and 7.7% respectively off the average CO2 emissions of new vehicles sold in Q1 2008, compared to 2007. Both countries will easily meet ACEA targets if average CO2 emissions continue to decrease at similar rates.
Switzerland and Germany, where strong economies and national preference have traditionally favoured larger, more powerful cars, prop up the list of countries. CO2 emissions of new vehicles in each country dropped by record amounts, but both look set to miss 2012 targets by some way.
“It’s encouraging that CO2 emissions have dropped by record amounts almost across the board, but most countries have missed ACEA targets for 2008 and the 2012 targets look very optimistic,” Jato added.
“The signs from Switzerland and Germany are that technology can have a significant impact on CO2 emissions in new vehicles regardless of consumer buying habits. Looking across Europe however, our analysis points to an equal emphasis on policy and technology to deliver effective change in the long-term.
“Fuel costs are also set to play a massive role in guiding consumers towards fuel efficient cars.”
