International Developments

New York mayor pledges 40% cut in CO2 by 2030 as world mayors urge 'bold climate agreement' at Vatican summit

The mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, has pledged to reduce his city’s carbon footprint by 40% by 2030. The Mayor made the announcement at a Vatican-hosted conference of mayors and governors from around the world who assembled to consider the environmental challenges facing their respective cities and the correlation between global warming and modern slavery.

European road transport strategy begins to take shape

The new European Commission's strategy for decarbonising road transport has begun to take shape. The plan is to prioritise efficiency first and electrification second but there remains uncertainty around biofuels. The Commission's latest thinking was introduced at a Conference in Brussels attended by three European Commissioners and by leading stakeholders from business, local government and NGOs (and including the LowCVP's Managing Director).

China and EU pledge cooperation on climate change as China sets new goals

In advance of the landmark Paris climate change conference, China has announced new goals for climate change mitigation post-2020. There is also news of closer cooperation between China and the EU on emissions reduction and the prospect of China's greenhouse gas emissions peaking in the next five to ten years, earlier than previously expected.

LowCVP News

Shortlist for 2015 Low Carbon Champions Awards reflects Innovation in Green Transport

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) has today revealed a diverse shortlist of innovative nominees for the 2015 Low Carbon Champions Awards. The shortlisted organisations and projects reflect the UK’s continued progressive thinking in the area of low carbon transport.

Positive response to LowCVP's first Low Emission Cities Workshop

LowCVP ran its first Low Emission Cities half-day workshop on Monday, 6th July in partnership with York City Council. The event was very well received by the 35 local authorities in attendance. 

Reports & Studies

New reports conclude that actions to tackle climate change are 'in national interest'

A major new report from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate (GCEC) has found that actions to tackle climate change would deliver multiple economic benefits, particularly when co-operative, multi-stakeholder partnerships are involved - not just between governments but among businesses, investors, states and regions, cities and communities. These findings are echoed by other recently published reports from the Grantham Institute and the Aldersgate Group.

National Grid report: UK likely to miss decarbonisation targets

The latest edition of the National Grid's annual Future Energy Trends report shows the UK meeting its  carbon reduction and renewables targets in only one of four scenarios envisaged. The report presents four energy scenarios to 2050, each providing starkly different visions of the UK’s future: Gone Green, Consumer Power, No Progression, and Slow Progression.

New ICCT report assesses leading EV promotion activities in US cities

The ICCT has published an informative new white paper assessing actions being taken by state and local governments and public utilities to facilitate electric vehicle uptake in the 25 most populous cities in the United States. Across the cities studied the impact of local actions contributed to plug-in electric vehicles accounting for 1.1% of new automobile sales in 2014, about 40% more than the nationwide electric vehicle share. These locations represent 67% of new electric vehicle registrations and 53% of the public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the U.S.

Industry News

ADL and BYD partner to deliver largest electric bus fleet for TfL

More than fifty electric buses are to enter service in London as a significant new alliance has been announced between electric bus manufacturer BYD and the UK's Alexander Dennis Ltd to introduce London’s first large-scale, zero-emission, single deck bus fleet as part of a £19 million deal with operators Go-Ahead. This will also be the single largest fleet of full size electric buses in Europe. 

2015 motor industry Sustainability Report shows progress on all environment measures

SMMT's 16th Sustainability Report has confirmed the strength of the UK auto industry while last year it has improved on every environmental indicators identified including CO2 emissions, waste to landfill, water and energy use. The motor industry's trade body report also confirms rapid rises in productivity per worker due to investment in more efficient, high-tech manufacturing processes.

LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards 2015 - a few category sponsorships still available

There are still a few category sponsorships available for this year's LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards which will take place this year with up to 400 guests alongside Cenex's Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) Event 2015 on September 9. Category sponsors are entitled to a table for eight at the event; an ideal opportunity to develop new business partnerships or consolidate established ones.

Policy Developments

London to be 'ULEV capital of Europe' as delivery plan launched

London's Mayor Boris Johnson has unveiled plans aimed  at making London the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) capital of Europe with the development of preferential access parking or charging in new area-based schemes for ULEVs at the centre of the scheme. The delivery plan sets out a direction for London to support the expected increase in the number of ultra-low emission vehicles over the next 10 years.

Innovate UK and OLEV launch latest Low Carbon Vehicle funding competitions

Two new £20m competitions from Innovate UK and the Office of Low Emission Vehciles aimed at driving down vehicle emissions have been launched. 

Events

GreenFleet Arrive'n'Drive

To experience the latest vehicles and solutions that can help you run a more efficient transport operation, the Arrive’n’Drive is the event to be at this year.

CENEX - Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) Event 2015

Cenex's LCV is one of the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle events. LCV2015 will provide exhibitors with a technology exhibition area based in three halls, as well as outdoor exhibition space on the Steering Pad for both static vehicle displays, and space for vehicles participating in the ride & drive activities on Millbrook’s tracks. Following its successful inauguartion last year, the event will also include a Gala Dinner featuring the LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards on the evening of September 9.

Bus and Coach Engineering: Policies, Technologies and Strategies for the Low Carbon Economy

Utilising solid case studies from the innovative pilot projects, the 2nd Bus and Coach Engineering Seminar will provide practical answers to which low carbon solutions are proving to be economically and technically viable. Real world examples from Reading Buses, Bath Bus Company, Torotrak and more will also demonstrate what the industry has learned about implementing these solutions. 

Other News

DfT Low Carbon Truck Trial annual review published

The DfT has published the latest review of the UK Low Carbon Truck Trial, highlighting progress of the 13 projects with over 300 trucks in service to trial low carbon technology in the HGV sector.

My Electric Avenue begins to disseminate project findings

My Electric Avenue, the pioneering project examining if local electricity networks can cope with charging a cluster of electric vehicles (EVs) at peak times, has exceeded its initial targets, recruiting over 100 Nissan LEAFs on My Electric Avenue’s ‘technical’ cluster trials, plus over 100 LEAFs on the project’s social trials. There are over 200 people driving Nissan LEAFs as part of the project which is now entering its reporting phase.

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