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Cars are lowering their emissions
From January 2008 onwards, cars with CO2 emissions below 120 grammes per kilometre will not have to pay registration tax. An increasing number of models meet this criteria, because the large car manufacturers are demonstrating their commitment to protecting the environment.
Three out of every four car makes sold in the European Union have improved in their efficiency. A study carried out by Transport & Environment (T&E) on around twenty manufacturers reveals that 75% are not reducing emissions fast enough.
European car manufacturers are prepared to gradually reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but not alone. The industry backs the EU’s objective to reduce CO2 emissions reaching an average of 120 grammes per kilometre by 2012. It is also demanding additional measures from governments. For example, that they contribute towards reducing traffic jams, as well as introducing tax incentives to promote the purchasing of more environmentally-friendly vehicles in Europe.
Car manufacturers want to reach an understanding with the planet. They research and defend policies to protect the environment, but they come across difficulties. Despite everything, at the 62nd Frankfurt Car Show, the last one held, 88 new concepts were presented including technical advances in this area.
Research, development and innovation
Europe is the main vehicle-producing continent, manufacturing a third of the 50 million cars representing international production. The sector boasts of investing 20 billion euros per year in R + D + I. The result can be seen, although perhaps not as much as the European Commission would like. The ACEA, the European Association of Car Makers, states that a recently manufactured car emits one hundredth of the pollutant substances that it released into the atmosphere in the 1970s and that the level of CO2 emissions has reduced by 13% between 1995 and 2005.
Car manufacturers believe that the best way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is to combine technology improvements, new road infrastructures and a driving style that results in lower consumption. Encouraging the use of alternative fuels is one of the tasks demanded from the authorities so that overall “sustainable mobility” can be promoted. Environmentally-friendly driving and correct engine maintenance, meanwhile, require the involvement and commitment of drivers.
Environmental tendency
However, without any doubt, mechanical progress has made it possible to reduce emissions by levels that were unthinkable only a few years ago. The Italian car manufacturer Fiat, for example, has just presented a Panda that only emits the record sum of 69 grammes of CO2 per kilometre.
Fiat has also started to sell other models that respect nature, which are grouped in the range called Natural Power. Their engines use dual fuel systems, petrol and methane. The widespread use of certain devices, such as the StopStart system enable a reduction of consumption in the urban cycle of over 10%.
Ford has also developed a low-emission range, ECOnetic. Its customers can choose between different car alternatives with pretty low emission levels. The engines use advanced common rail turbo diesel technology combined with a selection of solutions developed to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. The new Ford Focus ECOnetic, promises to emit CO2 emissions of barely 115g/km, using conventional engine technology, reduced suspension, low rolling-resistance tyres, improved aerodynamics and a diesel particle filter. This vehicle will be available in Europe at the beginning of 2008.
The French manufacturer PSA Peugeot-Citroën has coined two names in order to design the most environmentally-friendly models for its two brands: Blue Lion, for Peugeot, and AirDream, for Citroën. Their emissions are less than 130 grammes per kilometre. These vehicles are manufactured in plants which have been awarded ISO 14001 environmental certification, furthermore, they are 95% recyclable at the end of their useful life.
PSA Peugeot Citroën is the European low-emission market leader, selling 30% of the vehicles that emit less than 120 grammes of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse effect gas. This percentage doubles with vehicles emitting less than 110g/k of CO2.
By way of one more example, the third generation of the Renault Laguna has an environmentally-friendly version called "Renault eco2", that only emits 136 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. The new Laguna also respects the environment from production through to recycling.
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