However, with EU targets now set to achieve 100% compliance by 2015, the industry must act swiftly and decisively to have a realistic chance of meeting this requirement within the 6 year time frame, according to the report.

Advances in vehicle technology are making significant inroads into reducing CO₂ emissions. However, the requirements for the ongoing improvement in vehicle safety, as well as the increasing desire for higher levels of standard equipment are both factors that are at odds with reducing weight and, therefore, emissions. In the long term, government led consumer incentives to purchase lower emission vehicles will make the biggest impact.

—David Di Girolamo, Business Manager for JATO Consult

The report covers 21 countries, of which 19 are EU member states and studies volume-weighted CO₂ emissions by country, segment and brand, whilst also providing an in-depth analysis of the effects of lower-emitting vehicle technology and CO₂-based taxation regimes across the individual markets.

The report also reveals that countries that have introduced CO₂ based taxation systems have generally witnessed the biggest reductions in emissions. All the countries studied have reduced their volume-weighted average CO₂ emissions in 2008, with the exception of rapidly evolving Slovenian market. Many European markets have benefited from the increasing popularity of the small ‘B’ segment cars, which are amongst the most efficient in the market place. SUVs witnessed a decline in popularity in the first nine months of 2008, a trend that should assist in the ongoing reduction in emissions. JATO suggests that SUVs currently account for 9.4% of the total of European new car emissions.

JATO was founded in 1984 and provides information on vehicle specifications and pricing, sales and registrations, news and incentives. The company has representation in more than 40 countries. The JATO client base includes all of the world’s volume vehicle manufacturers.