Europe’s carmakers stalled last year in their progress to reduce carbon dioxide emissions despite their professed commitment to going green, according to figures published on Wednesday.

Transport and Environment, a Brussels-based campaign group, said that the European fleets’ new vehicle emissions fell by just 0.2 per cent, the lowest annual rate on record. Aiming for a target of 140g/km by the end of next year, emissions fell less than half a gramme per kilometre to 160g/km in 2006. In Spain and Austria they grew. The figures covered the EU, excluding Romania, Bulgaria and Malta.