Recent statistics from the European Federation of Transport and Environment (T&E) show that cars sold in Europe last year produced average CO2 emissions of 160 grams per kilometre.

This figure, the T&E claims, falls below that needed to meet the industry's own pledge on tackling climate change.

Commenting earlier this week on the T&E findings, federation director Jos Dings said that Jose Manual Borroso, president of the European Commission, had failed to sufficiently tackle the problem of climate change.

"President Barroso's commission has sat back and watched while carmakers put all their technology into making cars heavier and more powerful, rather than more fuel efficient," said Mr Dings.

Mr Dings said that "legislation is urgently needed if real progress is to be achieved", arguing "rules that make cars more fuel efficient save lots of money and save the climate".

The news comes as the Conservatives highlight vehicle emissions targets as an integral part of their 'vote blue, go green' local election campaign.

Tory leader David Cameron recently switched to an eco-friendly hybrid Lexus and says his party aims to bring emissions for new cars down to an average of 100g/km by 2022.

T&E claims to be Europe's number one transport campaign group, operating across 21 countries and boasting 45 member organisations.


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