Aussie CO2 emissions on the wane

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has issued its latest report on the state of vehicle CO2 emissions for Australia. As in earlier years, the NTC's report shows that total CO2 emissions from new cars are lower than the figure recorded for the year before.

In the latest report — http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/CarbonDioxide2011F.pdf -- the NTC has determined that the national average figure in 2010 was 212.6g/km, representing a 2.7 per cent reduction from 2009.

Even Australian vehicles, not known for being especially green, averaged a figure of 247g/km — a reduction of 4.7 per cent over 2009.

Companies that managed to score a corporate average emissions figure below 200g/km for the year included: Volkswagen (175), Suzuki (177), Audi/Hyundai (both 182), Honda (189), BMW (191) and Kia (199). BMW registered the greatest change in average CO2 emissions — a 9.1 per cent improvement from the year before.

Only one Australian-made vehicle, Toyota's Camry Hybrid, slid under the 200g/km threshold. That's likely to change for this year, following the launch of Holden's locally-manufactured Cruze.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has once again acknowledged the good news contained within the report. Quoted in a press release issued by the Chamber, Chief Executive Andrew McKellar noted that the latest national figure from the NTC contributes to a positive longer-term outlook.

"Average CO2 emissions from new motor vehicles in Australia have fallen by more than 15 per cent in the past eight years," he said.

"Many car buyers do look at fuel economy and emissions when deciding on a new vehicle but these are not the only factors. In fact, if consumers had chosen the most efficient vehicle of the same class, as this report highlights CO2 emissions would be 36 per cent, or 135 g/km, lower.  Clearly, there is still some room for further improvement."

McKellar pointed to cultural and environmental differences in Australia, setting our car-buying habits apart from those applying in Europe and North America. This impacts on our record of higher vehicle emissions compared with Europe, but contrasts in our favour with the North American experience.

"The reasons why Australian car buyers, on average, purchase lower emission vehicles than those in the US, or higher emission vehicles than in the EU, relates to fuel price, level of urban density, public transport infrastructure, taxation measures and a range of other factors". 

"Motorists are well informed of the CO2 emissions when buying a new vehicle with a sticker displayed on the windscreen of every new car advising of its carbon emissions per kilometre," he said.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...