Which passenger cars pollute the most?

Apr 22, 2022

With the collaboration of Statista.

A line of cars waiting at a set of green traffic lights.

In 2021, most new car registrations in Germany were SUVs. Image: Unsplash/Randy Lisciarelli

Martin Armstrong

Data Journalist, Statista

CO2 emissions from small cars are far below those from SUVs and sports cars.
However, high-polluting vehicles such as SUVs continue to increase in popularity worldwide.
But SUV manufacturers are coming under pressure as the EU is setting stricter limits for emissions from newly registered passenger cars.
Fines will be imposed on firms that do not comply with the new regulations.

On average globally, a small car emits 2,040 kilograms less CO2 per year than a pickup truck. Large SUVs and sports cars also emit particularly high levels of CO2 of course. SUVs are enjoying increasing popularity worldwide; in the home of the automobile, Germany, for example, most new registrations in 2021 came from this segment. Manufacturers' focus on SUVs may come under pressure however.

The EU, one of the leaders in pushing for more sustainable car-based travel, recently set stricter limits for emissions from newly registered passenger cars: From 2021, this will be an average of 95 grams per kilometer for a manufacturer's entire fleet. The requirements provide a strong incentive for automakers to produce and sell more fuel-efficient vehicles with lower CO2 emissions. If they do not comply with the rules, they face fines and from 2030, the limit will be lowered to 61.75 grams.

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The data used in this infographic is taken from the Statista Mobility Market Outlook, which presents up-to-date market figures and forecasts on the markets for motor vehicles and mobility services worldwide.

Global average emissions of passenger cars in 2022

Pickup trucks produced the most global emissions on average. Image: Statista Mobility Market Outlook

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