Vehicle CO2 Emissions Continue to Drop in Europe

Carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in Europe last year averaged 119.6 g/km, 8% below the EU’s target of 130 g/km for 2015, according to the European Environmental Agency.

The provisional results, which are based on the notoriously optimistic New European Driving Cycle, were 3% lower than the 2014 average. Fuel economy is directly related to CO2 emission for vehicles that burn fossil fuel.

The EEA says the average mass of new cars sold in the EU last year was about 1,380 kg (3,000 lb), the same as in 2014.

Diesels accounted for 54% of new-car sales. The average CO2 emissions from diesels was 122.6 g/km compared with 119.2 g/km for gasoline-fueled vehicles. The agency notes that the fuel efficiency gap between the two engine types has been shrinking in recent years.

The EU current targets a CO2 cap of 95 g/km by 2021. The EEA predicts the industry will reach that goal if its current pace continues. But the agency also acknowledges there is a 30%-40% gap between certification test levels and real-world results. The EU is pondering more stringent test methods that would indicate more realistic performance expectations.