Car bosses blame pollution on selling too many SUVs

THE motoring industry has warned that soaring sales of family SUVs will make it harder for the Government to hit pollution targets.

In a report published today, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that carbon tailpipe emissions fell to an all-time low last year, claiming that carmakers had once again beaten carbon dioxide emission targets.

But in a frank admission that may alarm motorists, the SMMT blamed the growing preference among families for bigger SUVs for making ‘progress on CO2 reduction much harder’.

Their latest figures reveal sales of SUVs – or sports utility vehicles – have soared by 164 per cent over five years from 165,997 in 2011 to 437,876 last year. These are a mix of diesel and petrol powered cars.

The most popular of these cars last year were the Kia Sportage, the Ford Kuga and the Range Rover Evoque. Because of their bigger engines, SUVs tend to emit more carbon dioxide and dangerous nitrogen oxides than smaller vehicles.

The SMMT said if the trend towards these bigger cars continues, the UK will find it tougher to hit EU targets to cut CO2 emissions by 2021. It also warned that a hike in vehicle excise duty for new cars registered after April 1 will discourage motorists from buying greener cars such as hybrids.

Last night Robert Flello, a Labour member of the Commons transport committee, raised concerns that owners of SUVs could soon be targeted in the same way as diesel drivers. He said: ‘Are the SUV drivers next on the list to be demonised? Families have a host of reasons for buying that type of vehicle. If motor manufacturers themselves think they’re bad stop making them. It’s as simple as that.’

The row comes amid growing fears among motoring campaigners that ministers are planning a crackdown on diesel cars, which emit less carbon dioxide but more dangerous nitrogen oxides than petrol engines.

In their report, SMMT lashed out at the ‘current anti-diesel agenda’, arguing it fails to distinguish between old diesel cars and cleaner modern vehicles.

But the group insisted its concerns were not directed at the Government, which is expected to publish a strategy to tackle the issue of diesel cars in the coming weeks.

It is set to include low emission zones in cities, with drivers of older diesels facing charges. Other initiatives being considered are tax rises, incentives to switch to hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as a scrappage scheme.

A Government spokesman said: ‘We are firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful emissions.’