CO2 emissions from new cars down by almost 4% in 2010

The European Commission today adopted a decision confirming individual car manufacturers' performance in reducing CO2 emissions in 2010. This decision is based on emissions data gathered by the European Environment Agency and verified by car manufacturers. It confirms the provisional findings from June that the average CO2 emissions from new cars in the EU dropped by almost 4% last year.

The European Commission today confirmed the average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars sold in the EU in 2010 and individual car manufacturers' performance in reducing those emissions.

Approximately 13 million new cars were registered in the EU in 2010 with average emissions of 140g CO2/km. This is a 3.7% drop compared to average emissions in 2009 and it confirms that car manufacturers are on track to reach the target of 130g CO2/km to be fully achieved in 2015.

2010 was the first year of monitoring emissions data under the CO2 from cars Regulation. The monitoring process includes the collection of data from Member States by the European Environment Agency and the verification of that data by the manufacturers themselves. This process ensures a balanced assessment by the Commission of the manufacturers' performance in meeting their specific targets. From 2012, the confirmed emissions will serve as a basis for calculating any excess premiums for manufacturers not meeting their targets.

On the basis of information provided by manufacturers following their verification of the data, the Commission has addressed uncertainties in the datasets and adjusted the calculations of the average specific emissions and targets. It recognizes that data quality should be improved, but is satisfied that the adjustments needed only lead to minor changes compared to the provisional data published in June.

Read more:

• Commission decision confirming the provisional calculation of average specific CO2 emissions and specific emissions targets for manufacturers of passenger cars for 2010
• European Environment Agency CO2 emissions database
• Reducing CO2 emissions from passenger cars
• Emissions from transport
• CO2 emissions from new cars continue steep descent in 2010