Green Car Challenge 'Will Be Tough'

Environmentally-aware motor insurance customers may welcome new EU legislation which means average CO2 emissions from new cars must be reduced to 130 g/km by 2015.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), this is the equivalent of achieving 58 mpg in a diesel car and 52 mpg with a petrol engine.

Carmakers have been set targets of producing 65 per cent of new motors averaging 130 g/km by 2012, 75 per cent by the following year, 80 per cent by 2014 and 100 per cent by 2015.

The chief executive of the SMMT said the legislation was ambitious and would present a challenge to the automotive industry. However, he added: "We share the environmental objectives and welcome the long-term framework the legislation sets out."

There has been a noticeable shift to diesel cars, with diesel penetration reaching 43.6% in 2008. Improvements in the environmental performance of the new car fleet contributed to the decline of total CO2 emissions from all cars in use.

Since the introduction of Exhaust Emissions Limits for cars in 1992, the automotive industry has made significant progress in improving engine technology and fuel quality. This has lead to dramatic reductions in tail pipe emissions.

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