The analysis, which covered 23 European markets, concluded that average CO2 emissions fell by 3.2% across 2015 to finish at 119.3g/km. The result was 4g/km lower than the total seen in 2014 and 7.5g/km lower than the figure registered in 2013.

The improvement is due to significant reductions coming from small and midsize markets including Norway and Switzerland, better results posted by big volume car makers and increasing numbers of electric vehicle registrations.

Peugeot was the new emissions leader for 2015 with an improvement of 5.8g/km compared to 2014. The French brand’s total average CO2 emissions decreased from 109.3g/km in 2014 to 103.5g/km in 2015.

Citroën occupied second place with 105.7g/km, down 5.1g/km on 2014.

Renault dropped two places to third in 2015, as the brand sold more SUV/Crossovers with bigger engines. The Captur’s registrations increased by 17%, while its average CO2 emissions increased from 105.7g/km in 2014 to 106.2g/km in 2015.

Fourth place was claimed by Toyota, which managed to reduce its average emissions by 4.9g/km to 107.7g/km in 2015.

Nissan stayed in fifth, posting the highest average increase in CO2 emissions among the top 20. The Japanese brand recorded a rise in the average emissions for its top-seller – the Qashqai – from 115g/km to 116.3g/km in 2015, due to increased sales of the 1.2 115hp and 1.6 120hp petrol engines.

Skoda was the most improved brand in the top 20, reducing its average CO2 emissions by 6.2g/km thanks to the new generation Fabia.

Amongst the country league table, Norway’s outstanding progress meant it overtook the Netherlands to record the lowest average emissions across Europe, with its emissions average falling from 110.5g/km in 2014 to 100.5g/km in 2015. Norway not only ranked first but recorded the highest reduction of all 23 countries. Last year zero-emissions car registrations increased by 42% and counted for 17% of total market. The Netherlands recorded an average of 101.3g/km, with hybrid and electric cars counting for 12% of the market in 2015 against 7.8% in 2014.

France recorded the lowest average CO2 emissions among the Big 5 European markets, but its reduction was only 3.0g/km. Last year the French market saw a 22% rise in SUVs and 12% in city cars, while the demand for subcompacts and compacts grew by only 1% and 4% respectively. On the other hand, Germany, with the highest average among the Big-5 and the third highest in the full ranking, recorded 127.3g/km. It was negatively affected by the big share of midsize sedans/SW (12% of total market) and by the performances of compact cars, the country’s largest segment.