Electric vehicles bring down CO2 emissions of new cars in UK to lowest level ever

Though only 12% of new sales were zero-exhaust electric vehicles, emissions fell by 11.2% in 2021

The carbon dioxide emissions of new cars sold in the UK dropped to the lowest level ever in 2021 thanks to the unprecedented surge in electric vehicle sales, industry data suggests.

Average new car CO₂ emissions fell by 11.2%, to 119.7g for every kilometre driven, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group.