CO2 emissions rise across Europe because of swing to petrol

Average CO2 emissions from new cars were 118.5g/km in 2017, up 0.4% compared to 2016 and the first rise since records began in 2010, according to new data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The results come after a Europe-wide slump in diesel sales in favour of petrol engined cars which emit more CO2 emissions than equivalent diesel models.

A spokesman for the EEA commented: “if similar petrol and diesel segments are compared, new conventional petrol cars emitted 10-40% more CO2 than new conventional diesel cars.”

Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), commented: “It is no coincidence that 2017 marked the first increase in CO2 from cars since records began in 2010, as it was also the first year that petrol overtook diesel in terms of new car sales.”

Jonnaert added: “Given that sales of diesel cars continued their decline in 2018, all indications unfortunately point to CO2 emissions increasing for a second year running in 2018.”

Recent ACEA data shows that last year only 2% of all new cars registered were electrically-chargeable. By contrast, petrol further expanded its market share by almost 6.5% in 2018, accounting for 56.7% of all cars sold in the EU.

The recent figures mean that meeting CO2 targets for 2021 – not to mention the extremely stringent 2025 and 2030 targets that were agreed recently by the EU Council – will require a much stronger uptake of alternatively-powered cars, said ACEA.

“All automotive manufacturers continue to invest strongly in their portfolios of alternatively-powered cars, most notably electric ones. However, the reality is that consumers are not rushing to buy these vehicles in large numbers,” said Jonnaert.

There are several major barriers holding back consumers, such as the affordability of these cars and the lack of suitable charging and refuelling infrastructure across the EU.

Today, there are some 150,000 public charging points for electric cars available in the EU. At least 2.8 million will be needed by 2030, according to conservative estimates by the European Commission. That translates to almost a 20-fold increase within the next 12 years.

Jonnaert said: “We urge national governments and EU policy makers to make the much-needed infrastructure investments so that sales of electrically-chargeable cars can really take off in Europe.”

Thibault Alleyn, who heads up Fleet Logistics’ consultancy through the independent FleetVision business, confirmed that organizations are not yet structured around electrified vehicles.

“We have been working with numerous large clients on this and notice that while most are open to the idea of electrified cars,  the numbers which are properly prepared are very limited. And this is where our expertise comes in.”

Alleyn concluded: “We are now at a stage where the overall direction to electrification is being confirmed by all actors, from governments to suppliers.

“Time has come for large fleet operators to adjust their procurement strategy, their eligibility-selection-usage policies and their cost monitoring processes accordingly. Given the long term importance of this shift, such preparation should not be rushed through without adequate and independent guidance.”

The fleet electrification experts of FleetVision can be reached at talleyn@fleetvision.biz.

If you require any further information, please email info@fleetlogistics.com.