The average CO2 emissions figure associated with company cars on UK roads fell by 11.5% last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The organisation said the average company car in 2023 had an official CO2 figure of 103.3g/km, down from 116.7g/km in 2022, and well below the overall UK car CO2 emissions average of 132.1g/km, which it attributed to strong fleet EV incentives as well as manufacturer investment in new lower and zero emission models.
The figures come from the SMMT’s newly-released Motorparc data set for 2023, which also shows that the overall number of vehicles on UK roads reached a record high during the year, rising by 1.7% to 41,404,589.
The number of EVs on the road increased by 47% during the year, with these now making up 2.7% of cars in use.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “After two challenging years of constrained supply, more people and businesses across the UK are now getting back behind the wheel – and increasingly, opting for greener options.
“However, given the ageing fleet, we now need to encourage consumers and businesses who have deferred purchases of new cars, vans, trucks and buses to upgrade. A stronger and stable economy, coupled with reduced living costs, would boost consumer and business confidence, while compelling fiscal incentives would ensure that these purchases are emissions free.
“Not only would this accelerate the transition – fundamental to the UK’s net zero ambitions – but it would also stimulate the economy and enhance the wider environment in which we all live.”
