The year 2021 marked a sharp drop in CO2 emissions in the automotive market in Europe. For the first time, the average drops below 100 g/km of CO2.
In 2020, the average emissions among car manufacturers in Europe was 118 g/km of CO2. The research organization Jato Dynamics took part in the exercise for the year 2021, and recorded a drastic drop.
The massive arrival of the electric car on the automotive market has made it possible to greatly reduce the pollution generated by the automobile. Jato Dynamics explains how the increase in SUV sales has not prevented the reduction in emissions.
The analyst reveals that the average polluting emissions of cars sold in 2021 is 99 g/km of CO2. Breaking below 100 g/km was Europe’s goal, despite the new stricter WLTP regulations. In addition, Europe asks brands to reach 95 g/km of CO2 emitted.
“Automakers have had to adapt their sales strategies,” said Felipe Muñoz, analyst for Jato. “They left their traditional segments to focus on the production of electric cars and SUVs, the two most profitable segments in Europe. »
Jato had often denounced the role of SUVs in the increase in polluting emissions in the automobile sector. But in 2021, it is paradoxically the SUV segment that generated the least CO2 emissions.
It is precisely the segment of mid-class SUVs, such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It is indeed very popular among manufacturers for the choice of electric and PHEV models. This generated an average of 65.4 g/km of CO2, less than the city cars.
On the other hand, small SUVs like the Renault Captur represent the worst segment. They are found in this ranking just ahead of the luxury SUV category, the most imposing.
Renault is one of the most virtuous brands
Tesla is obviously a brand apart on the market, with zero emissions, its range being 100% electric. But behind the firm of Elon Musk, we find Renault, which displays 86.7 g / km of CO2.
This represents a drop of 12% compared to 2020 for the French manufacturer. The Renault Zoé obviously led the charge for the Losange, and the new electric Mégane should help it progress in 2022.
Hyundai is on the podium thanks to numerous electric and plug-in hybrid sales. A quarter of the Korean manufacturer’s sales were made on these two types of vehicles.
Formerly one of the most polluting manufacturers, Mini has made strong progress and is now in fourth place in this ranking. Thus, the firm benefits from the arrival of its electric Mini to reach 90.1 g / km, a decrease of 20%.
Among the most significant drops, we also find Cupra, which reduced its emissions by 40%. Jeep has also taken advantage of the arrival of plug-in hybrid vehicles to reduce its own by 23%.
Manufacturers who mainly rely on classic hybridization are, on the other hand, among the worst students in the ranking. This is particularly the case for Toyota, which has an average of 108.8 g/km of CO2.
Sales of hybrid vehicles account for 69% of sales, but the brand’s first electric car is only arriving this year. Honda posts an average of 114.6 g/km of CO2, despite significant sales for the hybrid Jazz.
Which automotive countries are the least polluting?
However, thanks to the system of emission credits during alliances, no manufacturer has had to pay the 95 euro fine per vehicle and per gram of CO2 exceeded. Jaguar Land Rover, which has a deplorable average of 169.3 g/km of CO2, benefits from its strategic alliance with Tesla. This is also the case of Honda, which bought credits from the American brand, which will no longer be possible next year.
Jato Dynamics has also analyzed pollution from the automotive sector within European countries. Unsurprisingly, we obviously find Norway as the most virtuous country, with 16.9 g/km of CO2 emitted on average in its sales.
Germany and France pass below the threshold of 100 g/km of CO2. Our neighbor across the Rhine recorded an average of 96.4 g/km, while within our borders, this figure climbs slightly, to 97.8 g/km. The United Kingdom shows an average of 106.2 g/km, while Italy and Spain are the worst performers, with 120.3 g/km for the latter.
