The transition to electric vehicles is reducing transport emissions faster than anticipated, with emissions falling 11.2% to 119.7g for every km driven.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), transport emissions are now at their lowest level in over a decade.
Electric vehicles accounted for 12% of all new car registrations in 2021, and they are expected to account for a larger percentage in 2022 (around 18%). It means transport emissions are likely to fall even further over the next year.
In addition to lowering carbon emissions and meeting carbon targets, EVs also improve local air quality with no diesel and petrol smog.
EVs emit nothing at the tailpipe, so are considerably better for local air quality than ICE vehicles. While they still emit particulates from road tyres and brakes, these have far less of an effect on air quality than tailpipe emissions.
The UK has a target to slash emissions by 78% by 2035, with the faze out of ICE vehicles from 2030 playing a key role in the transport decarbonisation plan.
Other types of EVs, like electric bikes, e-scooters, electric busses and electric last-mile delivery vehicles also have an important role to play.
