New data compiled in the UK shows that Fiat and BMW’s Mini are only mainstream manufacturers whose average tailpipe CO2 emissions are now under 140g/km, a target carmakers set themselves a decade ago in their voluntary agreement.
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“Some manufacturers have delivered on their promise, but the vast majority have to raise their game significantly,” said Jay Nagley of Clean Green Cars, a consumer website set up by a motoring journalist and an analyst to help buyers choose and environment-friendly car.
“Porsche has the most work to do: bottom of the league, with CO2 emissions that actually went up slightly in the first half of 2008.
“What is interesting is that, as fuel prices rocket and the new car market falters, car makers with the highest emissions are being punished by the consumer. They have been complaining about pressure from the EU to meet what they say are ‘unrealistic’ targets. Now they are having to face much stiffer targets from the people that really matter: consumers.”
The website claimed every manufacturer with average new car emissions significantly above 200 g/km of CO2 saw its UK sales slump from January to June. Even bigger drops were reported last month by the five with the worst average CO2 output.
Porsche and Jeep sales were down by more than a half, Land Rover and Chrysler fell by nearly 30% while Subaru registrations plummeted 17.8%. As the total market only fell by 6.1%, there is clear evidence that high-CO2 cars are being heavily penalised, it added.
Porsche last week managed to overturn a proposal by the previous mayor of London to charge cars emitting over 225g of CO2 a kilometre GBP25 a day to enter the so-called congestion zone.
“Whenever a group places cars in league form there will inevitably be winners and losers,” the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said in response to the claims.
“The new car market as a whole is down anyway for a variety of reasons not least through consumers exercising caution due to the current economic climate. That combined with sky-high fuel prices means cars at the premium end of market not surprisingly experience a drop off in sales.
“Car makers are bringing down average tailpipe emissions on an ongoing basis and have made significant and consistent progress: average tailpipe emissions have fallen by 13% since 1997, the top 10 lowest emitters of the new car market constituted only 2% of sales in 2007 [and] there is a vast number of model ranges available to consumers, providing choice to meet a broad spectrum of consumer demands.
“Market change is not just about putting cleaner cars on the market – incentives must be in place to encourage consumers to buy them.”
Clean Green Cars’ top 10 lowest by CO2 emissions (g): January to June 2008
1 Fiat 138.2
2 Mini 139.6
3 Peugeot 141.4
4 Toyota 146.3
5 Citroen 146.3
6 Skoda 148.0
7 Daihatsu 150.0
8 Hyundai 151.3
9 Renault 151.6
10 Seat 153.0
Bottom 10: January to June 2008
1 Porsche 275.6
2 Land Rover 249.2
3 Jeep 218.7
4 Chrysler 216.2
5 Subaru 201.0
6 Jaguar 200.3
7 Lexus 194.8
8 Mercedes 192.8
9 Alfa Romeo 182.8
10 Saab 179.7
NB table does not include manufacturers of niche models such as Smart or Hummer
