Introduction and Main Information
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Introduction and main information
The purpose of this guide is to help consumers to make an informed choice when buying a new car,
by enabling them to easily identify models which could save them money on fuel costs as well as
reducing the impact on the environment. The guide lists the fuel consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2),
and other emissions performance figures of NEW cars, currently on the market in the UK. It also
seeks to advise on key environmental issues as well as give guidance on ways of reducing the impact
of cars on the environment. The figures shown are obtained from official tests, which are required
before a model of car may be offered for sale. Figures are listed for most new petrol and diesel cars
on sale in the UK as well as for some cars powered by alternative fuels (Liquefied Petroleum Gas or
Compressed Natural Gas). Figures are also listed for some hybrid vehicles, which use both electric
motors and internal combustion engines, and for pure electric cars.
Climate change, often referred to as global warming (which is one aspect of climate change), is
considered to be one of the greatest environmental threats facing the world today. When
hydrocarbons (HC) (petrol, diesel and most alternative fuels) are burnt for energy in an internal
combustion engine the main by-products are water and carbon dioxide (CO2), along with a number
of other emissions. Although not directly harmful to human health, CO2 is the most significant of the
greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. In 2013 domestic transport emissions made up
around a fifth of all UK domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with road transport contributing
around 93% of transport GHG emissions. Road transport is also one of the major sources of the air
quality pollutants which are harmful to human health, especially in urban areas.
IMPORTANT NOTE
The fuel consumption figures quoted in this guide are obtained under specific test conditions, and
therefore may not necessarily be achieved under ‘real life’ driving conditions. A range of factors
influence actual fuel consumption – for example, driving style and behaviour, as well as the
environment under which the vehicle is operated such as type of road and traffic flow. The test
figures are intended to be used for the purpose of making comparisons between models.
Since several different specifications (variants or versions) of a given model may be grouped
together in the list, the figures used in this guide should be treated as indicative only.
Unlike the CO2 and fuel consumption figures, the figures for emissions of air quality pollutants
should not be used to directly compare different models of vehicle. This is because all of the cars
on sale will necessarily have passed the appropriate Euro standard pollutant emissions test, but
the figures for emissions of these pollutants should be treated as indicative rather than absolute.
The small variations between them on that regulatory test that the tabulated figures show provide
a much less reliable comparison of real-world performance than do the fuel consumption and CO2
figures.
A searchable version of the data is available through the website:
http://carfueldata.direct.gov.uk/, as is some historic information. Please note that the web version
of this guide is updated between publications, and so will contain the most up to date
information.
http://carfueldata.direct.gov.uk/
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CARS AND CARBON DIOXIDE
The accumulation of key greenhouse gases (most importantly CO2 and methane) in the atmosphere
due to human activities is contributing to climate change. Unless action is taken to reduce emissions
of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, the whole pattern of the world’s weather could change, increasing
the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, droughts and
storms. The Climate Change Act (2008) set a long-term legally binding framework for greenhouse gas
reduction in the UK. The Act requires the UK Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at
least 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels in the UK. The Government has set out its plan
of action for greenhouse gas reduction in the Carbon Plan (December 2011). The plan identifies that
transport has a critical role in meeting the Climate Change Act (2008) obligations.
Transport is an engine for economic growth. Its role in moving people and goods around the
country is vital, but it is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2013, domestic and
international transport accounted for 26% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions. The Carbon Plan
identifies a wide-ranging strategy for reducing emissions from the transport sector. In the short
term, the most significant greenhouse gas savings from transport are likely to come from improving
the fuel efficiency of conventional vehicles and increased use of sustainable biofuels, see Cars and
Fuel Options for more information on biofuels.
The CO2 emissions of a car are directly proportional to the quantity of fuel consumed by an engine.
While there has been progress in reducing emissions of air quality pollutants from vehicles, there
has been less progress in reducing CO2 from cars despite improvements in engine efficiency.
Nevertheless, despite the tendency in recent years for cars to become heavier as showroom models
arrive better equipped and with more features than ever before, consumers are increasingly
choosing lower CO2 emitting vehicles and so the rate of CO2 reduction is showing some
improvement.
Measures to reduce car CO2 emissions
In 1998, the European Commission and industry associations of the major motor vehicle
manufacturers agreed to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new cars. This voluntary agreement
aimed to cut the average CO2 emissions of new cars by over 25% by 2008/9 to 140g CO2/km, and as
a result to see a 25% improvement in average fuel consumption.
In 2009 a European Regulation setting binding targets to reduce the CO2 emissions of new cars (EC
Regulation No. 443/2009) entered into force. The main features of the Regulation are as follows:
The target is for an overall European fleet average of 130g/km of CO2 emissions from 2015
(phased in from 2012);
In order to meet this average, manufacturers are set a specific emissions target to meet,
based on the types of vehicles they actually sell in any given year — rather than requiring
each individual vehicle to be less than 130g CO2/km. This allows a broad range of vehicles to
remain on sale with manufacturers deciding where they make improvements to ensure
compliance;
The ‘type’ of vehicle is currently determined by its mass. Manufacturers that sell
predominately heavier cars will have a higher grams of CO2/km target;
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There are different arrangements for manufacturers that produce very small numbers of
cars in any year, so as to protect the diversity of the market;
There is a further target for improvement from 2021, set at 95g CO2/km (95% fleet phase in
from 2020).
There are several facts to bear in mind for anyone owning or driving a car who is wondering how the
Regulation will affect them:
The regulation is purely a matter for manufacturers. It will not directly require drivers or car
buyers to do anything different. However, manufacturers might encourage sales of their
more fuel-efficient models in order to ensure that they meet the target that they have been
given;
It works on an average basis. It does not require individual cars to meet a particular
threshold for CO2 (unlike air quality legislation) or ban cars on the basis of their CO2
emissions;
It only applies to new cars. It does not mean that older, higher-emitting, cars have to be
taken off the road;
It applies to all new cars registered in the EU. It does not just apply to European
manufacturers;
It is not about setting different targets for different countries. Whilst manufacturers may, of
course, choose to vary what they offer between countries, the targets are for the EU as a
whole;
It does not tell governments how to set vehicle-related taxes. This will continue to be a
matter for each country.
In the UK, a number of other steps have been taken to promote the purchase and use of more fuel-
efficient vehicles:
In the March 2001 Budget the Chancellor announced the extension of the lower rate of
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to cover cars in the Private and Light Goods (PLG) taxation class
with an engine size of 1549cc or less;
Since March 2001, a system of Graduated VED has been in operation for new cars based
primarily on their level of CO2 emissions. The system is currently comprised of 13 CO2 bands.
Since April 2010, a different rate of tax applies to a vehicle at first registration (first licence).
The standard year rate applies in subsequent years. Zero emission vehicles are exempt from
all VED.
Since April 2002, company car tax has been based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle
provided to an employee for their private use.
From January 2011, the Government has offered grants of up to £5000 off the price of
certain Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) – the Plug in Car Grant (PiCG). Pure electric,
hydrogen and most plug in hybrid cars qualify for the grant. To qualify, vehicles must emit
75g or less of CO2 per kilometre from the tailpipe and have a zero emission range of at least
10 miles. The PiCG is now set at a maximum of up to £4500.
Since April 2013, news cars emitting less than 95g CO2 per km can qualify for a 100% first-
year allowance. Cars that are leased do not qualify.
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Electric vehicles are also exempt from the fuel benefit charge, as electricity is not classed as
a fuel.
CO2 Targets for V