The EU has published new data showing a decline in the average CO2 emissions of new cars in 2010 of 3.7% (1). But the data also shows that the average weight of cars has risen by 28kg or 2% as carmakers increasingly market SUVs and so-called crossover vehicles (2). Had weight not increased, the CO2 reduction would have been 5%, or one third better say Transport & Environment (T&E), the EU sustainable transport campaigners.
[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]Heavier cars require more energy to move so burn more fuel. Fuel use and CO2 emissions are directly linked.
Arne Richters, programme manager for clean cars at T&E said:
“This report shows that cars are getting heavier again. After a drop in average weight linked to government subsidies which favoured cheaper, smaller cars, the SUVisation of the EU fleet is back. And that is no surprise as EU rules favour heavier cars by allowing them to emit more CO2. That needs to change. The EU should be favouring more efficient saloons, estates and hatchbacks rather than encouraging gas guzzling, tall and heavy SUVs. Promoting heavier cars is holding back CO2 reductions.”
Interactive dashboard: which countries have the greenest tax systems?
Yearly publication analysing and comparing the car taxation systems across 31 countries in Europe.
The tax incentives in Germany to steer companies towards electric cars are amongst the weakest in Europe and three times lower than in France. Poland,...
The T&E Good Tax Guide for cars
The T&E Good Tax Guide is a yearly publication (3rd edition) that analyses and compares the car taxation systems across 31 countries in Europe.