The average amount of greenhouse gasses produced by new cars has fallen by 21 per cent in 11 years, according to the National Transport Commission (NTC).

The NTC’s Project Director, Neil Wong, released the report at the Cars of Tomorrow conference held last week.

“Car manufacturers have encouraged the reduction, with four brands lowering emissions from their vehicles by around 9 per cent over the past year,” said Dr Wong.

Other key findings from the report include:

  • In 2012, the national average of carbon emissions from new passenger and light commercial vehicles was 199 grams per kilometre (g/km). This is a 4 per cent reduction from 2011.
  • In 2012, 15 manufacturers sold 92 per cent of the new vehicles in Australia. Of these manufacturers, Suzuki had the lowest average emissions (157 g/km) and Jeep the highest average emissions (240 g/km).
  • In 2012, the average emissions from Australian-made vehicles was 210 g/km. This is a 9 per cent reduction from 2011.
  • The total sale of new green cars in Australia during 2012 increased to 1.2 per cent, compared with 0.8 per cent in 2011.
  • A 40 per cent reduction in Australia’s new car carbon emissions could have been achieved if consumers purchased vehicles with best-in-class emissions in 2012

The full report can be found here