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Average new car CO2 emissions fell by their biggest ever margin last year, with the average new car sold in the UK in 2009 emitting just 149.5g/km of CO2. At the same time, Fiat has posted Europe’s lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions. The UK CO2 emissions are 5.4% down on the 2008 figure and 21.2% better than the 1997 base level. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997. According to the annual New Car CO2 Report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the impact of recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme has boosted the continued influence of technological advances made by vehicle manufacturers. Reductions in average emissions were made across all model segments with MPVs (-28.6%) and 4x4s (-27.4%) making the biggest improvement against their 1997 base levels. Minis and specialist sports cars made the biggest reduction over the past year falling 6.7% and 6.3% respectively on 2008 figures. 2009 saw the 12th successive annual drop in average new car CO2 emissions, with extra improvement helped by the recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme which steered buyers towards more fuel-efficient models. The average car bought under the scheme emitted just 133.3g/km, 26.8% less CO2 than the average scrapped car. More