Car manufacturers have only reduced their CO2 emissions by 1.7% over the last year, a figure drastically short of the average 17% cut they have to achieve over the next four years to comply with planned Europe legislation.

According to Transport and Environment, a green non-governmental organisation, BMW made the largest step forward, with a 7.3% cut in its emissions, while Honda’s average CO2 emissions increased by 1.1%.

French and Italian carmakers remain in the best position to meet the 130 g/km CO2 target by 2012, as proposed by the European Commission last December.