Say yes to cheaper van, home and car insurance

New cars in the UK are emitting less CO2 than they were ten years ago, according to a motor industry body.

The Guardian has cited statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which show a 4.8 per cent drop in emissions over the past decade.

Some 189.8g per km of CO2 came from vehicles over the course of 1997 compared to 164.9g per km ten years later, the national news source added.

Environmental issues have become so prominent in recent years that some car insurance firms have begun to offer cheaper policies to those who prove their green-friendly credentials.

But Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, stated that people should bear in mind that new cars represent only a fraction of the UK's 31 million automobiles.

"The role of older cars and factors like driving style, load and distance travelled must not be overlooked in the drive to cut emissions," he said.

Last month, London mayor Ken Livingstone announced new charges from October for people driving through the centre of the capital.