CO2 emissions of new cars
The volume of road traffic is growing constantly. There is, at the same time, a major potential to reduce the CO2 emissions of road traffic by deploying more efficient vehicles. The indicator shows how the average CO2 emissions per kilometer of newly registered passenger cars are developing. In addition, the indicator shows that the target values stipulated in the CO2 Act have not been achieved.
Fuel consumption and thus the average CO2 emissions of of newly registered passenger cars have been dropping slightly since 1996, which is essentially a positive finding. However, the 2020 target (95 g CO2/km) couldn't be achieved. For this reason the state is rated negatively and the trend is evaluated as unsatisfactory.
The positive effect of the falling CO2 emissions of newly registered passenger cars is normally offset by the growth in road traffic. In 2020, the CO2 emissions of passenger cars were lower than in 1990 for the first time, as the volume of traffic decreased massively with the Covid-19 pandemic. Private vehicles account for more than 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland.
- Related indicators
- Rail transport
The indicator is also used in other international indicator systems such as that of the European Environment Agency EEA. However, it must be kept in mind when making comparisons with neighbouring countries that in some countries consumption figures do not include consumption by off-road vehicles and generally comprise a substantially higher proportion of diesel fuel. Only a limited international comparison can therefore be made. Nonetheless, it can generally be stated that, across Europe, Switzerland has a fleet of new vehicles with very high average CO2 emissions per kilometre.
The number of new cars is based on MOFIS data, which are evaluated and compiled by “auto-schweiz”. The survey commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and conducted by auto-schweiz looks at fuel consumption, from which CO2 emissions can be derived. Electric passenger cars (plug-in vehicles, plug-in hybrids and range extenders) are also included.
Targeted trend | Initial value | Final value | Approach to the theoretical path in % | Observed trend | Assessment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
95 g CO2/km in 2020 | 2000 | 2022 | 69.22% | Towards theoretical path | unsatisfactory |
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