Car manufacturers are making uneven progress in reducing CO2 emissions and exhaust pollutants from their latest models, according to a new report released today (18) by EcoTest, Europe’s most comprehensive environmental assessment programme for vehicles.
In the latest round of testing taking place over summer 2008, some manufacturers have made impressive progress in producing more environmentally friendly cars. Others are still making high emissions models.
The Mazda 6 2.0 Estate Sport Diesel is in the top ten of best performers achieving 81 points from its relatively low levels of CO2 and pollutant emissions. It is eight places behind best ever performer the Toyota Prius which achieved 89 EcoTest points when last assessed.
The Mazda is joined by the Volvo V50 1.6D, the Mercedes SL 350 and the Citroen C5 Tourer HDi in achieving a four star rating under the latest round of testing. No car – not even the Prius - has yet achieved a maximum five star rating indicating that there is much room for improvement across the industry.
At the bottom of the table in this round was the BMW M3 Cabriolet scoring zero points for CO2 emissions performance. The score represents an emission level of over 294.6 g CO2/km. It is joined by the BMW M3 Coupé which scored just one point on CO2 emissions.
Both the Cabriolet and Coupé do achieve a much better score (45 and 48 points respectively) for cutting levels of harmful exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. This shows the difficulties manufacturers can have in addressing both pollutants and CO2 – each key aspects of environmental performance – at the same time.
EcoTest, set up by the FIA Foundation, rates cars according to both CO2 and pollutant emissions. An extension of the EU’s official test cycle, EcoTest aims to provide consumers with additional information on which to base car purchasing decisions. In order to be awarded a five star rating, cars should be achieving a total of over 90 points from both CO2 and pollutant emissions levels.
In the latest round of EcoTest assessments, several cars have joined BMW in receiving low scores for CO2 performance. They include:
- The Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM which achieved 11 points for CO2 emissions, 35 points for pollution and a two star award overall.
- Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-D Automatic CO2 10 points; pollution 30; overall two stars.
- Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 LT Sport (7 seat) CO2 15; pollution 29; overall two stars.
As EcoTest gives a broader picture than just CO2, some cars achieve high scores for CO2 but are given a poor overall rating when exhaust pollutants are taken into account. In the latest report, the Subaru Legacy 2.0D achieves a CO2 rating of 43. This is the best score for CO2 emissions so far under the EcoTest assessment and corresponds to 150g CO2/km outperforming others in its class.
However, the Subaru does fall down on pollutants as it produces relatively high levels of harmful exhaust emissions and only achieves a 3 star rating overall. The maximum possible five star rating would be achieved by performing consistently well over both CO2 emissions and pollutants.
Sheila Watson, FIA Foundation Director of Environment said:
“Manufacturers have been focusing much attention on producing greener cars and this is to be welcomed. However, the car industry now needs to reach the next level. This is a tough challenge, but the best performers are those that tackle both CO2 emissions and exhaust pollutants at the same time, and that is the standard which all manufacturers must aim for across all of their models.”
EcoTest puts cars through a rigorous driving cycle and collects data on the resulting CO2 emissions and pollutants. The test involves more extensive assessments than those required by the EU.
Notes for editors
- EcoTest is based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), a prerequisite for type approval in the EU. EcoTest goes beyond the EU’s requirements by testing for performance in a range of different environments including on the motorway.
Cars are also tested in urban conditions for carbon dioxide emissions and pollutants including nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. EcoTest assesses diesel engines for emissions of particulates.
- The August 2008 EcoTest table is here: www.ecotest.eu/Pages/EcotestAugust2008Report.aspx
- Star ratings, from one to five, take into account the different classes of vehicle setting thresholds for CO2 and pollutant emissions. For example, a class five family car with zero CO2 points has an emissions level of 275g CO2/km or more. To achieve a top 47 point rating its emissions level would have to be at 100g CO2/km for example.
- A total of 50 cars have been tested since the last report in June 2008
- Before EcoTest, the FIA Foundation, an independent UK charity, was instrumental in setting up Europe’s crash testing service Euro NCAP. It also plays a key role on the UN’s traffic safety and vehicle standards working groups. EcoTest assessments are run by German auto club ADAC. Visit www.fiafoundation.org
- Visit www.ecotest.eu for further information and the full database of results.
Contact: Avi Silverman FIA Foundation +44 (0)7967229374