Camilla Jessen
After years of progress, Europe’s new car emissions are climbing again.
CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe have started rising again.
After years of steady decline, the numbers went up slightly in 2024. The change may seem small, but it’s important because it breaks a positive trend.
And the cause can largely be traced to Germany.
According to the European Environment Agency, as cited by Boosted, the average new car in 2023 emitted 106.4 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
In 2024, that number increased to 106.8 grams. It’s a rise of just 0.4 grams, but enough to raise concerns.
Since 2019, emissions from new cars had been falling fast.
Back then, the average was 148.2 grams per kilometer. That dropped by almost 28 percent over four years, thanks to the growing use of electric and hybrid cars.
But in 2024, the progress slowed.
Even though many people are still buying low-emission vehicles, something happened to interrupt the trend.
Electric Car Support Removed
The key reason is Germany’s decision to stop offering financial support for buying electric cars. The change came quickly and had a big effect on the car market.
Sales of electric cars in Germany dropped by around 25 percent. Since Germany is the largest car market in Europe, that drop pulled down the overall numbers for the continent. Electric cars went from making up 15.5 percent of all new car sales in Europe to just 14.5 percent in one year.
This shows how much difference a political decision can make. When people lose financial help, they often choose different cars.
There are early signs that the market is adjusting.
In the first few months of 2025, electric car sales in Germany rose by 39 percent compared to the year before. Still, this increase started from a low level.
Most new cars sold in Germany are still petrol or diesel. Figures from the German transport agency show that many buyers are sticking with traditional engines, despite the climate goals set by governments and car companies.
Car Brands Are Watching Closely
Car manufacturers are paying attention.
While the EU has strict targets to cut emissions, some brands are starting to worry that not enough people want electric cars.
Only 1.8 percent of all cars on European roads are fully electric, according to the European car industry group ACEA.
At the same time, brands like Volvo have reported sharp drops in electric car sales. In May 2025, Volvo sold 27 percent fewer electric cars than in the same month the year before.
Demand is not keeping up with supply. And if people keep choosing petrol and diesel cars, it will be harder for Europe to reach its climate targets.