New UK carbon budget to force further cuts in car CO2 emissions

The government is expected to reveal an ambitious new carbon budget later today that will encourage the electrification of vehicle ranges over the next two decades.

Reports suggest the budget will aim to reduce the country’s CO2 output by 57% by 2032, forcing industries across the UK to clean up their act and boost energy efficiency.

Around 20% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (which includes CO2) come from road transport, with cars contributing to more than half of that figure. Pressure to further reduce the CO2 emissions of cars is likely to spur on the use of alternative powertrains.

This reduction will happen at a time when road traffic is predicted to increase by at least 19% between now and 2040, according to the latest RAC figures; leading experts to claim the electrification of vehicle ranges is the only viable long-term option.

Today’s target will be part of the UK’s fifth carbon budget, which falls under Parliament's 2008 Climate Change Act.

Similar pressure on car manufacturers to lower the CO2 output of their ranges has been felt elsewhere in Europe, with a German government official recently suggesting the country could ban the sale of combustion engined cars from 2030.

It seems German manufacturers have been quick to respond, with Volkswagen revealing it could produce two all-electric models by 2020, Mercedes announcing the launch of an all-new electric SUV and BMW electrifying more of its range, including an all-electric i8.