Korean cars emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than imported vehicles, a government report showed Wednesday.

According to the Environment Ministry, the average emissions grade of local vehicles was 2.46, which is 0.27 lower than foreign-made automobiles.

Cars were rated from grade 1 to 5 based on the emissions level of air pollution substances, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. With grade 1 being the greenest, each higher grade indicates the emissions of 15 percent more air pollutants and 30 percent more carbon dioxide, it added.

The evaluation was conducted on over 130 local automobile models and some 430 imported ones as part of the annual report on the green level of the transportation means, the ministry said.

The average emission level of local vehicles was 193 grams per kilometer, up 6 grams from last year, while that of foreign cars was 213 grams per kilometer, down 12 grams.

Among the local cars, 10 of them, including Kia’s K5 Hybrid and Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid, received a grade of 1. Of the exported vehicles, 53 of them, including the Honda Civic Hybrid, acquired the same grade.

By carmakers, General Motors Korea was the greenest company with an average emissions grade of 2.33, followed by Kia with 2.37, Renault Samsung with 2.45 and Hyundai with 2.50.

By import car country, Japan topped the list with an average grade of 2.48, followed by European countries with 2.72 and the U.S. with 3.08.

The ministry, however, cautioned against a direct grade comparison of carmakers and countries, as the displacement figure of each car differs.

The Sonata 2.0 GDI Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid were picked as the greenest cars in each group with the lowest carbon emissions, with 104 and 78 grams per kilometer, respectively.

On the other hand, Ssangyong’s Chairman W and Bentley’s Mulsanne recorded the highest level of pollutants in their respective segments, with 301 and 445 grams per kilometer, respectively.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)