The Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid is now rated to have emissions of just 47g/km CO2 in Europe, the lowest of nearly any passenger vehicle with an internal combustion engine.
Europe’s automotive regulatory body recently confirmed the certification, which makes the Fisker Karma luxury saloon one of the most ecological cars available in any category.
In the Netherlands this new certification puts the Fisker Karma in the same 0-50 g/km CO2 category as 100% zero-emission all-electric cars. Company cars that fall into this category purchased in 2013 are exempt from a CO2-based usage tax for up to five years. For Karma buyers that represents a savings of more than €8.700 per year, or more than €43.500 over the five year eligibility term, a significant amount to consider when making a purchase.
Fisker engineers were able to reduce Karma’s CO2 emissions to 47 g/km from 53 g/km, an improvement of 11%, by making software upgrades that minimize ancillary electrical losses and increase all-electric range 3.6% to 86 km, from 83 km.
Only Karmas sold in The Netherlands through authorized Fisker retailers, Fisker Hilversum and Fisker Breda, will feature the upgraded software.
Current Karma owners in the Netherlands can also bring their cars to these retailers to be fitted with the upgraded software for a small fee so that they, too, can reduce their impact on the environment and benefit from the reduced tax rates.