News in cooperation with eceee.org

Europe’s car emissions spiked again in 2019, warn new stats

(EurActiv, 26 Jun 2020) Europe’s average CO2 emissions from passenger cars increased again in 2019, according to the EU’s environment agency, marking the third consecutive year that the statistics have trended upwards.

Preliminary data published by the EEA on Friday (26 June) revealed that the European Economic Area’s fleet average was 122.4g of CO2 per kilometre. Although well below the 130g target for 2019, it is significantly far from the 95g benchmark that phases in this year.

Emissions have increased every year since 2016, when a run of six straight years of gradual reductions came to an end. The new data shows that between 2017 and 2019, the average increased by 4.4g.

“The reasons for the increase in car emissions include the growing share of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. The market penetration of electric cars remained slow in 2019,” the EEA report explains.

Nearly 40% of new car registrations were in the SUV category, which emit on average 134g, some 13g more than standard cars. Due to their larger size and less aerodynamic shape, SUVs consume more fuel.

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EurActiv, 26 Jun 2020: Europe’s car emissions spiked again in 2019, warn new stats