Newly registered cars in Switzerland emitted more CO2 in 2018 than the previous year, due notably to a boom in sales of four-wheel drive vehicles. Since 1996, average CO2 emissions from fuel had been falling, thanks to more use of biofuels. But this trend was reversed in 2017, according to a survey by the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper published on Tuesday. For the first time since statistics began in 1996, CO2 emissions from vehicles rose by 0.4% in 2017 and 3% in 2018, it found. The increase can be explained partly by a fall in sales of diesel vehicles after the diesel emissions scandal that started in 2014. These vehicles emit more nitrogen oxide, but up to 15% less CO2 than petrol vehicles. However, the increase is attributed mainly to a boom in sales of four-wheel drive vehicles, which consume on average 10% more fuel than the same vehicle with two-wheel drive. But 49% of new vehicles sold in Switzerland in 2018 had four-wheel drive. Whatever the reason, this reversal of the ...
