Average vehicle emissions rise as drivers ditch diesel in favour of petrol

Diesel engines typically emit lower levels of CO2, which made them popular as European governments introduced vehicle taxes based on CO2 emissions in a bid to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, but demand was affected by negative publicity surrounding the health impact of their emissions in urban environments, particularly from oxides of nitrogen. In the UK, higher company car taxes are imposed on diesel vehicles unless they meet the most stringent emissions standards (RDE2).

Another driver of increased petrol demand is a growing number of personal leasing customers in the market, who are more likely to opt for a petrol model.

The average new car leased by a personal contract hire customer produces around 137g/km of CO2, compared to the average company car, which produces 116g/km.

Gerry Keaney (pictured), chief executive of the BVRLA, said: “The company car fleet is still the cleanest on the road. The average new personal lease car emits 18% more CO2 than its company car equivalent.”

Keaney also raised concern about a fall in plug-in hybrid registrations as a result of supply shortages.

He added: “The government needs to support this market and should reinstate the Plug-in Car Grant for the latest, more efficient plug-in hybrid models.”

The Plug-in Car Grant is a government fund designed to offset the higher cost of ultra-low emission vehicles.

Last year, it was cut from £4,500 to £3,000 and removed entirely for hybrid cars with a range of less than 70 zero-emission miles.