SUVs and extra traffic cancelling out electric car gains in Britain

Auditors say emissions down just 1% since 2011 and target of zero emissions by 2050 is a long way off

Carbon emissions from passenger cars across Britain have fallen by just 1% since 2011, despite a steep rise in the sale of electric and hybrid vehicles, Whitehall's spending watchdog has said.

The National Audit Office said the popularity of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and an increase in road traffic were among factors that have cancelled out expected reductions from low-emission car sales.