Specific CO2 emissions of new cars

  • Large discrepancy in the specific emissions of new cars among countries: a 45% gap between the two extreme groups of countries: from less than 93.6 gCO2/km, the 2025 mandatory limit (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Malta) to more than 135 gCO2/km (Poland, Slovakia, Czechia and Estonia).
  • 108 gCO2/km for EU average in 2023.
  • 13 EU countries below 110 gCO2/km

Specific CO2 emissions of new cars (2023)

  • Rapid decrease of this specific emission since 2010 in all countries, especially in Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Cyprus and Malta (above 4%/year). The progress has significantly accelerated since 2019 (at EU level, 7.5%/year since 2019, compared to 1.5%/year over 2010-2019). This trend is due to the implementation of national policies and standards for car manufacturers, which improved the efficiency of thermal cars and increased the share of electric cars, especially in the last years. 

Trends in the specific emissions of new cars