NEWS

NEW car CO2 emissions are falling faster than ever before reveals JATO in a new European report. They have fallen by nearly 20g/km since 2003, and 2009 was the single biggest yearly reduction on record. The average new car sold in Europe now emits 145.9g/km CO2. This means brands are well on target to meet [...]

LAND Rover will introduce a front-wheel drive version of the new baby Range Rover to dealers next year. The compact Range Rover LRX-inspired model will be offered in both 2WD and 4WD forms, the firm has just announced. This will cut the CO2 figures of the diesel model dramatically: Land Rover says the model will [...]

NEW car buyers will be hit today by big changes to the vehicle excise duty system that could cost them. The first-year rates of road tax come into force – which will mean a £545 RISE for the highest-emitting models. Yes, cars emitting more than 255g/km CO2 will be stung for a first-year tax bill [...]

CO2 emissions fell by the largest ever amount in 2009 thanks to the effects of the scrappage scheme. The average new car emitted 149.5g/km CO2 – 21.2 percent less than in 1997. Furthermore, the average car sold under the scrappage scheme emitted just 133.3g/km, 26.8 percent less CO2 than the average scrapped car. It’s also [...]

HPI is updating its unique used car CO2 Certificate in line with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. The label is given as part of the HPI Check for free – and now incorporates new recommendations from the LowCVP. This includes displaying an estimated fuel cost over 12,000 miles, plus VED banding relating to CO2 emissions [...]

CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling will present his important Pre-Budget Report to Parliament at 12.30pm today. Speculation abounds as to what we can expect – but will we get another update on the showroom tax? Remember, this is due to come into full effect in April 2010. That’s just after the next Budget previewed today. It will [...]

FORD is hoping its new 76mpg Fiesta Econetic Van can help it to 25 percent of the small van sector. The new eco model is now on sale, costing from £11,635. Emitting a tiny 98g/km of CO2, it’s one of the greenest vans in the world, and will help provide big fuel savings to fleets. [...]

NEW vans sold from 2014 will have to meet tough green rules demanding a fleet average of 42.8mpg. The EC proposals are part of wider laws to reduce the environmental impact of vans. This will also cut the average CO2 from van makers’ fleet average to 175g/km – tough enough to be met with resistance [...]

SMMT chief Paul Everitt reports welcome news from the Government’s Committee on Climate Change. In its first official report to Parliament, the CCC recognised the ‘significant cuts’ car makers have achieved recently. What’s more, the aims it has set going forward are ALREADY underway throughout the car industry. The CCC has targeted three areas it [...]

LEX Autolease has released figures showing that average company car emissions already beat next April’s key CO2 figure. The firm’s fleet average for 2008 was 158g/km – easily under the 161g/km benchmark taxbreak figure which comes into force in April 2010. Cars emitting less than this will be eligible for higher allowances on corporation tax. [...]

VOLVO was ‘a little slower than it should have been’ in responding to car buyers’ growing eco interest. But now it’s focused, said the firm’s sales director Gerry Keaney, Volvo has really opened up a competitive advantage. This is proven, he says, by the C30 now offering a 99g/km CO2 model – just a year [...]

LEXUS’ new BMW 1 Series hybrid rival is expected to emit just 90g/km of CO2 when it hits markets in 2011! General manager Ewan Shepherd revealed the LF-Ch’s headline-grabbing target figure to Car Dealer Magazine. Under current legislation, this will make it eligible for FREE road tax. He also expects it to be priced in [...]

50 percent of used buyers seeking £20k-plus cars will be looking for better mpg when they next buy, says BCA. The stark findings headline the firm’s latest Used Car Market report. Indeed, green issues and saving money dominate the report, says BCA. It’s not before seen such a marked shift towards saving money, as rising [...]

GOVERNMENT plans to investigate motoring tax and charges have been welcomed by industry body the SMMT. Ministers have stipulated that any future environmental taxes must be both clear and consistent – something warmly welcomed by the car makers. In eight years, says the SMMT, cars reduced CO2 emissions by 20 percent. In the future, CO2 [...]

VOLVO will not be producing a small hybrid rival to the Toyota Prius – and instead develop a 94mpg C30. The cost of hybrids means it not worth it; the maker will instead concentrate on improving the fuel efficiency of its more economically viable diesel engines. Director of CO2, Peter Ewerstrand, questioned the expense of [...]

VOLVO will, from now on, reduce the emissions of its car range by 5g/km of CO2 every year. The tough target has been imposed by the company’s director of CO2 strategy, Peter Ewerstrand The first fruits of this have come with the C30 range – the DRIVe variant has seen CO2 emissions plunge from 115g/km [...]

HPI has updated its CO2 Certificate information sheet for used cars, reflecting Government changes. Since 1 May, new cars have used an extended colour-coded CO2 information system. The number of bands has increased from 7 to 13. HPI has now reflected these in its info sheet for used cars. What’s more, it means car dealers [...]

FORD cars sold so far in 2009 have recorded the biggest fall in CO2 emissions, report latest statistics. Eco website Clean Green Cars has looked at sales of all makes up to April 2009, and discovered that Ford car sales show the biggest drop in CO2 output. That’s 10,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 a year. [...]

TOYOTA has shocked the world, by announcing its new Prius hybrid OFFICIALLY averages 107mpg! The new model, on sale in May, has just been certified in Japan with the dramatic figure, an all-time low for new cars. It also emits just 61g/km of CO2, thanks to the many innovations of the new 1.8 petrol-electric hybrid [...]

MIDDLESBOROUGH council has joined up with car dealers to launch a new Green Car awareness scheme. The scheme aims to inform customers about emissions when they are buying new or used cars, with unique literature and branding. Crucially, the scheme extends the need to show CO2 emissions of cars on sale, from new cars only, [...]