FLEET200: EMISSIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Average car emissions stay same despite more accurate WLTP test Moves to reduce air pollution stepped up as EVs increase in popularity. Matt de Prez reports
New emissions targets will come into force in 2021 which could result in manufacturers facing huge fines
verage car CO2 emissions for the Fleet200 stand at 109g/km this year, exactly the same as they were in 2018. It’s a surprising result, given the challenges the industry has faced in the past 18 months, as car emissions testing underwent a total overhaul and all vehicles had to be re-homologated under the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The latest Fleet200 figures are based on NEDC testing and those derived under the ‘halfway house’ NEDC-correlated system, as manufacturers aren’t required to publish the actual WLTP value until April 2020, when it will be used for taxation purposes. NEDC-correlated figures are higher on average by 10-20% and the full WLTP could double that increase. This should be reflected in fleets’ average CO2 emissions next year, which are likely to rise as they begin to renew their company car fleets after a self-induced pause while many waited for the Government to reveal future benefit-in-kind (BIK) taxation tables. Not all industry sectors saw their emissions stay static year-on-year. Primary, manufacturing and construction increased by 1g/km, business services was up by 3g/km and public sector rose by 2g/km, despite best efforts to steer staff into cleaner cars.
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That said, with many fleets and company car orders for pure electric cars increase by 123% drivers holding off from replacing vehicles, it since the new BIK tax rates were announced over would’ve limited the emissions increase caused by the summer. switching from an NEDC-tested car to one with a Zenith reported an even bigger surge in pure EV NEDC-correlated figure. orders, up 211%, while Alphabet and Total Motion One sector has enjoyed substantial success in both reported double-digit increases. reducing CO2 emissions, however: transThe latest Fleet Intelligence Pulse report, which supports the Fleet200 port and distribution, which is down on analysis, suggests that fleet operaverage by 9g/km to 105g/km. It is Lex Autolease told Fleet ators expect the number of the lowest average from any News that orders for pure hybrid car models on their industry sector. electric cars had increased by fleets to increase by more Sixteen fleets – equating to than any other powertrain in 11.7% of the Fleet200 – are the next 12 months. averaging below 100g/km, Predictions are weighted marginally down on last year’s towards hybrid models, with 19 fleets which was 12.8% of since the new BIK tax 9% of fleets expecting to take the total. Two, DPD and Calor rates were announced more on next year. Plug-in hybrid Gas, are below 50g/km. and pure electric cars are tied, with DPD, with half its 750 company cars 4% of companies forecasting they will on an employee car ownership (ECO) account for a greater share of fleet next year. scheme, is seeing staff opt for electric and Primary, manufacturer, construction fleets are plug-in hybrid cars to maximise the benefit under the most positive about alternative fuels for cars, the funding programme. especialy electric vehicles, although the public However, even DPD’s performance pales against sector is swaying the most towards plug-in Calor Gas, which has average CO2 emissions of hybrids, with 6% expecting to take on more just 25g/km. Calor also operates an ECO scheme, (notwithstanding the amorphous other services which accounts for 52% of its 123 company cars. companies, at 7%). Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest leasing company, However, with hybrids accounting for just 6% financing almost 400,000 cars and vans, has seen
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