So, here’s a conundrum.
The CO2 emissions from new cars are better (ie lower) than those that they replace.
On average, new and updated models in 2017 emitted -12.6% less CO2 than those that they replaced.
Turning to new vans, the CO2 emissions of these were lower as well – by -4.8% – reaching a new low of 165.4g/km.
And yet, despite this progress, CO2 emissions of vehicles have risen for the first time in a decade. That’s right. They have gone up.
According to a new report published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), despite all the efforts of car manufacturers to lower CO2 emissions, tailpipe emissions rose by 0.8% to 121.0g/km.
That is a concerning statistic.
The SMMT is unequivocal in where the issues lie. It believes confused messages from the government over diesel and a lack of incentives to bolster take up of ultra low emission vehicles, have contributed to the rise.
The SMMT goes further by saying that the government’s anti-diesel agenda and the slow take-up of electric vehicles could mean industry misses its next round of CO2 targets in 2021, which would impact negatively on the UK’s climate goals.
I’m sure you’re aware from reading this blog that we are keen advocates of going green. But we’re also great pragmatists. Fleets cannot automatically swap wholesale to electrified cars. Or vans. Indeed, it would be wrong in some instances if they did.
Fleet management is more complex than that: drivers who spend their day on the road need diesel vehicles. Diesels carry them further on a gallon of fuel and produce fewer CO2 emissions. Until mainstream cars can be electrified to produce the same sort of range, we will continue to advise fleets to choose diesel where appropriate.
But not all job functions are the same; not all vehicle requirements are identical. In many cases some form of electrification – whether fully battery electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle – may well be the correct answer.
So balance is required. And, with the current government, I don’t think we have been getting that. Needless to say, the SMMT shares this view.
A less confused taxation structure, acknowledgement of clean diesel’s role for car consumers, greater incentives and better infrastructure for electrification; all of this is what’s required.
It’s time for government to step on the gas – to clean up CO2 emissions and meet low carbon targets.
So, here’s a conundrum. The CO2 emissions from new cars are better (ie lower) than those that they replace. On average, new and updated models in 2017 emitted -12.6% less CO2 than those that they replaced. Turning to new vans, the CO2 emissions of these were lower as well – by -4.8% – reaching a … Continued
The latest official stats from the SMMT on January new car sales make for thoughtful reading. No doubt you’ve read the media headlines – plunging car sales and diesel in decline with a 25% fall. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes admitted that the drop in new diesel car registrations was concerning, but he believed consumers … Continued
You really know the world is changing when one of London’s black cab drivers swaps out of his iconic diesel cab into an all-new green cab. David Harris is the green convert, collecting the keys to the first LEVC (London EV Company) TX electric taxi to hit London’s streets. The TX is a range extender … Continued
Welcome to the New Year! I trust you all had an excellent festive break and are feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the New Year of 2018 may bring. For fleets I think there are some certainties about what we can expect. Here’s my five for the future in 2018. Low emission goes … Continued
It’s that time of year again when I’m wondering what Santa might bring in his sack of delights. I’m sure Santa and his helpers have an inkling already, but there’s nothing like a list – a list of five super cars for Santa’s sack – that might help just make my Christmas sparkle. If you’d … Continued
Did you take delivery of an Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFV) in November? If so, you’ll be one of a rising number. According to the official car data crunchers, the SMMT, AFVs rose over 33% compared to the same month last year. Which means the news on greener technologies is trickling through – because AFVs represent … Continued
Put the wrong fuel in a vehicle and the impact is immediate. Put the wrong oil in a vehicle and the impact could be just as severe. Using the wrong or poor quality lubricants leads to accelerated wear in bearings and gears, risking increased maintenance costs and even in extreme cases, malfunction. With ever increasing … Continued
Fantastic! I can’t tell you how good it feels to win. And last week we won not one or two but three awards at the Leasing Broker Awards. Organised by the Leasing Broker Federation, the awards were judged by an independent panel of judges from the leasing and automotive sector. So I’m really honoured that … Continued
One way or another, diesel – and its potential alternatives – have been in the headlines just recently. And much of it is to do with the Chancellor Philip Hammond. And what he might say – or do – about diesel cars. I don’t know whether you saw it, but the BBC website ran a … Continued
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the trade body representing the UK’s vehicle leasing and rental industry, has published a blueprint for delivering “a cost-effective transition away from diesel vehicles in urban areas”. Announced at the same time as the launch in London of the T-Charge Clean Air Zone for cars and commercial … Continued