CO2 figures slashed in Scotland 16 | 03 | 2011
CARS IN SCOTLAND are producing a fifth less carbon dioxide than they were 10 years ago, despite there being around one-third more cars on the road. The latest figures confirm that CO2 emissions in 2010 were 141.2g per kilometre, compared with 181g/km in 2000.
The figures, produced by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) also highlighted there was also a 3.5% improvement between 2009 and 2010.
It's clear that the fall in emissions is linked directly with the increased fuel efficiency which new engines deliver. What is also clear is that future advances in areas including design, fuel and engine technologies will help further reduce the CO2 produced by cars.
— Jim McGill
The survey, which was calculated on the total new cars registered, confirms the motoring industry is aggressively playing its part in reducing CO2 emissions not just in Scotland and the UK, but around the world as new technology is fed into current engine and powerplant development.
Further cuts becoming 'increasingly challenging'
The reduction in the overall CO2 figures is largely due to increasingly fuel-efficient engines, although the SMMT warned that further cuts were "becoming increasingly challenging".
"New technology has delivered impressive reductions in CO2 emissions, but co-ordinated action to support research and development, new infrastructure and consumer incentives is critical to securing significant future advances," Chief executive Paul Everitt said.
"The economic and political challenges of high fuel prices, energy security and climate change are shared issues that must be addressed at an international level."
Further figures show CO2 emissions from all cars on the road in the UK in 2009 fell by 2.7% against 2008. The 2009 figure was 7.8% down on 2000.
The UK had the ninth lowest average new car CO2 emission level among the main 15 European Union countries in 2009, at 149.7g/km. The European Commission target is 130g/km for new cars by 2015 and 95g/km by 2020.
We at Scotcars clearly welcome the latest figures which highlights the strenuous work being carried out in automotive research and development departments around the world.
Scots drivers have a host of green choices
Such has been the progress of not only the development, but also the introduction of the new technology, that Scottish drivers are now faced with a host of green choices.
They can now nip into the local showroom of any car manufacturer and have the option of purchasing a new car in every class which will not only deliver substantial savings in motoring costs, but will also guarantee reduced emissions and greenhouse gases.
It's clear that the fall in emissions is linked directly with the increased fuel efficiency which new engines deliver. What is also clear is that future advances in areas including design, fuel and engine technologies will help further reduce the CO2 produced by cars.
The further expansion of stop-start systems, allied to increased use of hybrids and electric vehicles will all add to the acceleration in the reduction of CO2 output from cars' exhausts.
And with the continued escalation of fuel prices at the petrol pumps, the demand for more economic cars will only serve to increase the publics' demand that manufacturers continue to develop more fuel efficient — and thus, cleaner — cars.
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Jim McGill