As new vehicles become more efficient, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) they produce decreases. Shown below are several examples of model year (MY) 2012 cars that have decreased the amount of CO2 they produce (in grams per mile) despite the fact that they are larger (in interior volume) than they were ten years ago. Of the examples, the Kia Optima had the largest decline in CO2 emissions in the ten-year period, and the Nissan Sentra and VW Jetta had the greatest increase in interior volume while still reducing CO2 emissions.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions versus Interior Volume for Selected Model Year 2012 Cars

Supporting Information

Carbon Dioxide Emissions versus Interior Volume for Selected MY 2012 Cars
YearMakeModelTotal Interior
Volume		CO2 Emissions
Grams per mile
2002HondaAccord116386
2012HondaAccord121329
     
2002HondaCivic104296
2012HondaCivic107269
     
2002NissanSentra100342
2012NissanSentra110296
     
2002HyundaiElantra108355
2012HyundaiElantra111269
     
2002HyundaiSonata113404
2012HyundaiSonata120317
     
2002KiaOptima113444
2012KiaOptima117317
     
2002VWGolf106386
2012VWGolf109342
     
2002VWJetta Sedan100386
2012VWJetta Sedan110329
Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2012 Vehicle Technologies Market Report, February 2013, accessed May 30, 2013.

Return to 2013 Facts of the Week