Carbon emissions up as diesel sales dive

Drivers shunning diesel cars is partly to blame for a rise in carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles, the car industry trade body.

The 0.8% increase, to 121 grams per kilometre, is the first rise since the SMMT began reporting levels in 2000.

Diesels typically emit up to 20% less CO2 than petrol cars and are more fuel-efficient.

As well as slowing diesel sales, the SMMT said the popularity of SUVs contributed to the rise.

SUVs produce about a quarter more CO2 than the smallest vehicles.

Despite the small increase in carbon emissions last year, new cars now produce a third less CO2 in total than they did in 2000.

source:www.bbc.com