New cars sold in 2014 emit on average 2.6% less CO2 than those sold in 2013 and almost 7 grams of CO2/km below the 2015 target, according to provisional data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The average emissions level of a new car sold in 2014 was 123.4 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre, significantly below the 2015 target of 130 g, according to the EEA data. Average emissions levels were below 130 g CO2/km in 17 of the 28 Member States.
Since monitoring started under current legislation in 2010, emissions have decreased by 17 g CO2/km (12%). Manufacturers will, nevertheless, have to further reduce emissions to meet the target of 95 g CO2/km by 2021.
Despite minor fluctuations in the past, the fuel efficiency of petrol cars has been catching up with that of the more fuel-efficient diesel cars in recent years. The average emissions gap between petrol and diesel is currently below 3 g CO2/km, around one seventh of the gap in 2000.
Around 38,000 electric vehicles were registered in 2014, up 57% from 2013. The largest number of registrations was recorded in France (more than 10,700 vehicles), Germany (around 8,500 vehicles) and the UK (around 6,700 vehicles). Nevertheless, electric vehicles continue to constitute only a very small fraction of new registrations (0.3%).
For more information:
http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/co2-cars-emission-8