Average CO2 emissions for new car registrations in the UK leasing sector have fallen below 100g/km for the first time ever, according to new BVRLA data.

The BVRLA’s latest Quarterly Leasing Survey, covering the Q4 2020 reporting period, reveals average CO2 emissions for new cars among its members were 98g/km

Its latest Quarterly Leasing Survey, which covers the Q4 2020 reporting period, reveals average CO2 emissions for new cars among its members were 98g/km.

This compares to the average UK car fleet of 114.2g/km and shows the green credentials of the vehicle leasing sector.

The drop in CO2 is the result of ongoing uptake of electric vehicles by BVRLA rental and leasing members – which collectively own and operate one in 10 cars, vans and trucks on UK roads.

Nearly one fifth of the BVRLA’s leasing members’ fleets now have some form of electrification – while 5% of the car fleet are pure EV and 15% are hybrid.

This will continue to accelerate rapidly too – BVRLA members have also pledged to register 400,000 new battery electric cars and vans per year by 2025.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “The vehicle leasing sector remains at the forefront of road transport decarbonisation and members continue to innovate to provide more individuals and businesses with access to affordable low- and zero-emission vehicles.

“The sector’s green credentials will make leasing an attractive option for those living or working in towns and cities looking to introduce Clean Air Zones during 2021 and beyond.”

The latest BVRLA quarterly leasing report also reveals the impact of the pandemic on the vehicle leasing sector. The total car fleet reduced by 5.3% year-on-year, largely driven by a 9.3% fall in car business contract hire, but a +3.2% growth in personal contract hire offset some of the market reduction. Meanwhile, the total LCV fleet size grew by +0.7%.