Policy Developments

Mayor confirms plans for introduction of T-Charge in central London from October 23

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed the introduction of an Emissions Surcharge - or 'T (Toxicity) Charge' - from October 23 this year. The £10 daily Surcharge will operate in the central London Congestion Charge area and will apply to cars, vans, minibuses, coaches and HGVs that do not meet the minimum Euro emissions standards.

Defra awards £3.7m under Air Quality Grant programme

Eighteen local authority projects across England will benefit from nearly £3.7m as part of the Government's efforts to combat poor air quality. The Air Quality Grant programme is an annual initiative which has awarded more than £52m since it started in 1997.

New measures on EV infrastructure in Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill

A new Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill has set out plans to enable easier access to recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles. It also seeks to ensure the right infrastructure is in place for the growing market for electric vehicles.

VED changes to take effect on April 1; now is a great time to buy a hybrid!

This month is a good one to buy a hybrid electric vehicle because from April 1, changes in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) announced last year will come into effect and increase the tax rate on hybrids. Zero emission vehicles will qualify for the lowest VED band and remain tax free.

Met Police to introduce 250 EVs to fleet

The Metropolitan Police has announced plans to 'green' its fleet of vehicles by introducing 250 electric vehicles. The Met says the aim is to help reduce London's air pollution and that it's part of a major overhaul of its 4,000 strong fleet.

Milton Keynes set to open first-ever Electric Vehicle experience centre

The UK’s first multi-brand showroom for electric vehicles as well as charging technology is set to open in Milton Keynes. Due to be launched in Spring this year, the centre will be located in the city’s main shopping centre and run by leading provider of electric vehicle infrastructure, Chargemaster. 

Reports & Studies

Fossil fuel demand to peak then fall after 2020 due to low carbon technologies says new report

A new report, the result of a collaboration between Carbon Tracker and the Grantham Institute, says that the demand for coal and oil will peak in 2020 as low carbon technology prices - including for EV batteries - continue to tumble.

Bus renaissance under way in some UK towns and cities

The bus is coming back into fashion in parts of the UK where new, modern and innovative service offers are helping more people beat congestion, cut pollution and get from A to B more conveniently. This is one of the leading messages of a new report by the LowCVP, commissioned by Greener Journeys.

On-road NOx emissions exceed Euro 6 limits by 7 times - ICCT report

A recent report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) finds that on-road nitrogen oxides emission levels of modern diesel cars are on average about seven times higher than the limit set by the Euro 6 emission standard, which went into effect in September 2014. 

ITF report: current international policies won't deliver target transport carbon reductions

The International Transport Forum's report, Transport Outlook 2017, says that the transport sector's CO2 emissions will rise up to 60 per cent between 2015 and 2050, with shifting global trade patterns making it difficult to decarbonise the transport industry.

Other News

Waitrose introduces ten 500-mile range biomethane trucks to its fleet

Waitrose has started operations with ten new Scania CNG (compressed natural gas) trucks. The manufacturer describes the trucks' range - 500 miles - as "game changing".

London street lights pilot to enable electric vehicle charging

Three street lights in Kensington, central London, have been adapted to provide electric charge points as part of a trial set up by the Borough council in partnership with UK Power Networks and Ubitricity. The adaptation allows two local residents to charge their vehicles from a street light near their front door, and receive accurate bills for their electricity use via their smart phone or home PC.

Mayor announces two new electric bus routes to cut air pollution in London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced two additional all-electric bus routes for the capital. Starting in Spring 2018, 36 electric buses will run on route C1 (White City to Victoria) and route 70 (South Kensington and Acton) This will boost the total number of electric buses in London to 121, in addition to the 2,000 hybrid-electric buses already on the road. 

LowCVP News

LowCVP working closely with Government on key projects

The LowCVP is working closely with OLEV, the Department for Transport and the Joint Air Quality Unit to support these and other government bodies on a number of projects.

LowCVP to host first regional 'green bus workshop' in Manchester

The LowCVP will host the first of four free regional green bus workshops for operators and local authorities to hear about the operational experiences of low carbon and low emission bus technologies and fuels at the University of Manchester on 30 March.

Third and final instalment of LowCVP's 'Green Bus' box set published

The LowCVP has published the third in a 'trilogy' of reports for Greener Journeys describing how significant progress has been made in 'greening' the UK bus sector through long-term policy focus, industrial commitment and effective partnership working between a wide range of stakeholders and, ultimately, focusing on passengers' needs.

Events

GreenFleet Scotland 2017 - 05/05/2017

GreenFleet Scotland will demonstrate the viability of ultra-low emission, plug-in, hybrid and electric vehicles to organisations looking to improve the efficiency of their fleet and transport operations and to address poor air quality caused by emissions from road transport.

Next steps for a national air quality plan - 15/06/2017

Upcoming LowCVP Activities

News-In-Brief