New van CO2 emissions declined further in 2016 but the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned that the ‘anti-diesel’ agenda will halt further progress.
Latest SMMT figures show average new van CO2 fell 1.9% to a new low of 173.7g/km in 2016, ahead of the 2017 deadline for the pan-European target of 175g/km.
However, the SMMT warned that changes in consumer buying behaviour away from diesel in 2016 have caused the rate of progress to slow.
It also noted that a slowdown in demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles, which saw growth fall from 40.3% in 2015 to 22.2% last year, makes progress on CO2 reduction much harder.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The automotive industry has some of the most challenging CO2 reduction targets of any sector and continues to deliver reductions as it has for nearly two decades. For this positive trend to continue, modern low emission diesels and AFVs such as plug-ins, hydrogen and hybrids must be encouraged with long-term incentives. Turning our back on any of these will undermine progress on CO2 targets as well as air quality objectives.”
For more of the latest industry news, click here.
