Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Fuel consumption by cars on Swiss roads fell by 3.9 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, to 7.14liters/100km on average, but the it was still short of the consumption target of 6.4l/100km  by the end of 2008. A voluntary agreement between the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (Detec), signed with car importers in 2002, set the target. Detec released the figures Thursday 7 May.

The improved fuel efficiency in 2008 was due in part to the average weight of Swiss cars coming down by 29kg compared to 2007, the first time since 1996.

More efficient but heavier until 2008

Cars have also become much more fuel efficient: it took an average of 6.85 litres of fuel to move a ton of vehicle in 1996 but by 2008 only 4.85 litres were needed.

The fuel efficiency increase was offset by an increase of  1.3 and 1.5 tons in the average car’s weight from 1996 to 2008. An additional half litre is needed to shift each additional 100 kgs.

CO2 emissions down, but greater drop needed

CO2 emissions fell by 4.4 percent to 175 g/kg on average for new cars in 2008, higher than the European Union’s average of 160 g/kg.

The European Parliament  In December 2008 adopted tough targets for new vehicles’ carbon emissions, which Detec is pushing for Switzerland to adopt, too. Since the voluntary fuel efficiency agreement with the car importers body, auto-suisse, did not work, Detec now says it will now argue for compliance by law.