CO2 emissions from cars and vans: all larger manufacturers met their 2015 targets 

Based on current testing rules in force, virtually all car and van manufacturers have met their specific CO2 emissions target in 2015, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report confirms preliminary findings published earlier this year showing that the EU as a whole is well below its average emissions target for the same year.

The new EEA report, 'Monitoring CO₂ emissions from passenger cars and vans in 2015', provides a summary of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission levels of new passenger cars and vans in the European Union (EU) in 2015 based on laboratory tests following a standard European vehicle test protocol used for vehicle type-approval.

The new findings largely confirm preliminary data published for cars and vans earlier this year. They show that new cars sold in the EU in 2015 had CO₂ average emissions of 119.5 g CO₂/km, which was 8.0 % below the 2015 target of 130 g CO₂/km, and 27 % lower than in 2004.  Similarly, the average emissions from vans sold in 2015 were 168.3 g CO₂/km, below the 2017 target of 175 g CO₂/km. This represents a reduction of 6.5 % since monitoring commenced in 2012. In order to meet their respective future targets, i.e. 147 g CO₂/km for vans by 2020 and 95 g CO₂/km for cars by 2021, the average CO₂ emissions need to continue decreasing at a similar pace.

The report also presents data on manufacturer’s individual performances. The majority of car and van makers met their CO₂ specific emissions target in 2015. Two manufacturers, Aston Martin Lagonda and Ferrari, exceeded their specific emissions target by a small amount and therefore excess emission premiums will be imposed.

Other key findings

• As in previous years, conventional diesel and petrol cars accounted for the large majority of new sales in 2015 (97.2 %). Diesel vehicles remained the most sold vehicles in Europe, constituting 52 % of sales, slightly lower than in 2014 when 53 % of all new cars were fuelled by diesel. The proportion of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles increased from 0.8 % in 2014 to more than 1 % in 2015. For vans, the vast majority of vehicles are fuelled with diesel (97 %).
• Diesel cars, which on average are 300 kg heavier than petrol cars, emitted on average 119.2 g CO₂/km. This is 3.3 g CO₂/km less than the average for petrol cars. The emission difference between diesel and petrol cars has been narrowing in the last decade. In 2000 the difference was 17.1 g CO₂/km.
• Amongst the largest car manufacturers, Automobiles Peugeot, Automobiles Citroen, Renault and Toyota Motor Europe continue to produce most of the lowest-emitting cars. Improving their performance by more than 5 g CO₂/km, Automobiles Peugeot (104 g CO₂/km) and Automobiles Citroen (106 g CO₂/km) had the lowest average CO₂ emissions for new passenger cars registered in 2015.
• Toyota Motor Europe had the highest percentage of new vehicles having emissions below 95 g CO₂/km (41 %).
• The largest reductions in average emission levels in the last year were achieved by Jaguar Land Rover Limited (14.4 g CO₂/km) and Daimler AG (6.9 g CO₂/km).
• For the third year in a row, Automobile Dacia SA achieved the lowest average CO₂ emissions from vans (133 g CO₂/km). Automobiles Peugeot, Automobiles Citroen and Renault also produce low emitting vans (less than 151 g CO₂/km).

Latest data sets CO₂ emissions from cars and vans:

• Data for cars
• Data for vans

CO₂ emissions by car manufacturer

Background

EEA activities

In accordance with current EU regulations ((EC) No 443/2009 for passenger cars and (EU) No 510/2011 for vans), the EEA collects data on all new vehicles registered in Europe and makes it available online. The data collected includes information on various parameters, including CO₂ emissions and vehicle mass. Data is reported by all Member States in order to evaluate the performance of the new vehicle fleet towards the respective CO₂ emissions targets.

The EEA report documents the latest official data submitted by Member States and vehicle manufacturers. However, it is not possible to assess the extent to which incorrect data from vehicle manufacturers may alter the analysis and conclusions. The final CO₂ performance for each manufacturer and pool is confirmed by Commission Decision.  

Laboratory versus real world driving emissions

Member States report new vehicles’ CO₂ emission levels, measured under standardised laboratory conditions, following the requirements of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test procedure. This cycle allows a comparison of emissions by manufacturers, but it does not necessarily represent real-world driving conditions. There is now wide recognition of the increasing divergence between real world CO₂ emissions and those measured according to the NEDC test procedure.  In order to address this increasing gap, the European Commission has proposed in June 2016 the implementation of a more robust test procedure, the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). This new test procedure will ensure more strict and representative test conditions. It is foreseen that the new WLTP test will be mandatory for all new vehicle types from September 2017 and for all new vehicles from September 2018.

Additional information

The European Commission press release: CO₂ emissions from new cars and vans continue to fall

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)