- 2012 is, the year when the 130 g/km limit on CO2 comes in to force, and 15 of the 31 major manufacturers have met the target
- The highest emitters are catching up
- Overall the industry will not hit the target – but will not be punished,
1. Total Market
| 2012 YTD July | 2011 YTD July | improvement | |
| average CO2 g/km | average CO2 g/km | % | |
| Total Market | 133.45 | 139.57 | 4.38% |
2. Leading Manufacturers
There are now 15 (out of 31) major manufacturers* which are below the overall target figure of 130 g/km of CO2:
| 2012 YTD July | 2011 YTD July | improvement | |
| Manufacturer* | average CO2 g/km | average CO2 g/km | % |
| Fiat | 113.12 | 116.97 | 3.29% |
| Toyota | 117.05 | 125.09 | 6.43% |
| Lexus | 117.25 | 132.19 | 11.30% |
| Citroen | 119.66 | 122.02 | 1.93% |
| Seat | 123.02 | 128.67 | 4.39% |
| Peugeot | 123.47 | 129.7 | 4.80% |
| Suzuki | 123.63 | 130.63 | 5.36% |
| Alfa Romeo | 124.38 | 129.23 | 3.76% |
| Kia | 127.93 | 135.7 | 5.73% |
| Mini | 128.33 | 128.04 | -0.23% |
| Volkswagen | 128.34 | 131.76 | 2.59% |
| Ford | 128.73 | 135.03 | 4.66% |
| Renault | 129.09 | 138.89 | 7.06% |
| Hyundai | 129.67 | 130.09 | 0.32% |
| Skoda | 129.70 | 138.08 | 6.07% |
Source: Spyder Redspy
3. Highest emitters are cutting the fastest
The two significant manufacturers with the highest CO2 emissions, Porsche (201 g/km of CO2) and Land Rover (196 g/km of CO2) have both cut their emissions by 10% in the last year. It is significant that no major manufacturer is likely to end 2012 with a figure of over 200 g/km.
4. The car companies that miss the target have nothing to fear
In 2012, only the lowest polluting 65% of each manufacturer’s range have to meet the target. Full compliance is not due until 2015. The EU is fond of quoting “130g/km of CO2 by 2012”, but this is simply not the case. A more accurate quote would be, “Manufacturers that sell over 300,000 cars in Europe should have 65% of their cars below 130 g/km – unless they make heavy cars, in which case 140 g/km of CO2 is fine”
For a full explanation of all the data and a list of all manufacturers’ figures, see cleangreencars.co.uk/co2
* defined as manufacturers whose range includes four seat models, not just two seat city cars.
aim of cleangreencars.co.uk is simple: to provide clear, easily understood advice about choosing and using cars in a more environmentally considerate way. Our goal is to advise which cars are the best of their type, whether that is a small hatchback or something that can carry seven people. Its founders are Richard Bremner, one of Britain’s leading motoring journalists, and Jay Nagley, a prominent industry analyst.
