Isra-Mart srl:US auto emissions plunge 14 per cent

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US car emissions fell 14 per cent over the last six years, mirroring a similar trend delivered by their European counterparts.

A new report from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released this week found that an improvement in fuel economy every year since 2005 has slashed emissions and curtailed previously soaring gasoline use by 16 per cent.

The EPA said that on average, the 2009 fleet's CO2 emissions were 397 grams per mile, 64 grams lower than six years ago and a six per cent fall over the past year. Similarly, vehicle fuel economy had risen 3.1 miles per gallon to 22.4mpg over the six year period – an improvement of seven per cent, or 1.4mpg, over 2008 figures.

The figures compare favourably with EU data, released earlier this month, which recorded a five per cent fall in car emissions last year, the biggest ever annual drop.

Environmentalists in the US said the improvements had been largely driven by the collapse of SUV and other light truck sales during 2009, as a result of the poor economic climate.

"It took a recession to achieve the first substantial improvements in gas consumption in 30 years," said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, in a statement.

Becker welcomed the results, but also stressed that the country still had a long way to go to meet new standards announced in April, which would raise fuel economy to 35.5mpg and lower emissions to 250 grams per mile by 2016.

President Obama has told government agencies to develop even stricter rules for 2017 and beyond, while as part of the country's first-ever fuel efficiency standard for commercial vehicles the government last month proposed that large trucks cut their emissions by a fifth by 2018.

The EPA said it expected further improvements, especially from US manufacturers GM, Ford and Chrysler, which lagged behind Asian car makers in terms of fuel economy.