Isramart : New car market gets greener with reduction in carbon dioxide emissions

Isramart news:
AUSTRALIA'S new car market is getting greener, having achieved the lowest average carbon dioxide emissions on record.

The National Average Carbon Emission figure for 2009 is 218.5g of CO2/km, down 1.8 per cent from the 2008 figure of 222.4g/km.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar said all new passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial utes, vans and buses (up to 3.5 tonnes) were included in calculating the figure, which was many more vehicle types than used in other parts of the world, including Europe.

"This is a very positive result and confirms that the Australian automotive industry is making good progress in achieving better fuel economy and lower emissions," he said.

The FCAI set a target to reduce emissions from new vehicles from an average 252.4g/km in 2002 to 222g/km by the end of 2010.

"We have exceeded the target a year ahead of schedule and the industry has achieved a reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles of around 13.4 per cent since 2002," McKellar said.

"The growing availability of improved vehicle technology has helped reduce vehicle emissions with Australian motorists moving quickly to buy more efficient vehicles.

"Improved engines, better transmissions and technologies like direct injection and cylinder deactivation have all contributed to lowering the emissions from new vehicles.

"The introduction of better quality clean diesel fuel in recent years has enabled a rapid increase in the number of diesel cars on Australian roads as many motorists have sought to take advantage of enhanced fuel economy and lower carbon emissions."

McKellar said vehicle manufacturers would continue to bring environmentally friendly technologies to the market such as hybrid and electric powertrains and vehicles running on alternative fuels.

Toyota recently began selling its Camry Hybrid which is made in Australia.

The biggest improvement in CO2 emission reductions were in luxury SUVs (down 5.82 per cent, to 250.2g/km) and sports cars (down 4.49 per cent to 218.4g/km), while already light cars actually increased emissions by 0.19 per cent to 158.5g/km.