Working Groups

The Working Groups are at the heart of Partnership action on buses, passenger cars, fuels, commercial vehicles and innovation. Participants of these Groups must be signed-up as members of the Partnership.

Bus Working Group

The LowCVP Bus Working Group consists of bus manufacturers and operators, design engineering companies, passenger transport executives and local authorities. Its role is to develop action programmes to achieve the introduction of low carbon buses in the UK.

The Group's achievements include:

Production of a definition of a low carbon emission bus.
Definition of a methodology to assess low carbon buses.
Development of a certification process for low carbon emission buses.
Convincing Government and stakeholders that the Bus Service Operators Grant could be reformed to encourage more fuel efficient buses.
Working successfully with DfT provide a fiscal incentives for low carbon emission buses through a 6p/km supplement to BSOG for eligible low carbon emission buses.
Supporting the DfT in introducing the Green Bus Fund to support the procurement of 500 low carbon emission buses.

The Group's current work is focused on:

Supporting the procurement of low carbon emission buses.
Monitoring the performance of the Green Bus Fund.
Working with DfT to ensure the long term replacement for BSOG encourages low carbon technologies

Chair: Maurice Perl, Wright Bus (Vice-Chair: Mike Weston, TfL - London Buses)

Passenger Car Working Group

The LowCVP Passenger Car Working Group comprises of vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, consumer associations, environmental groups and other interested parties. Its role is to accelerate the introduction of low carbon cars into the UK and to better inform car buyers of the low carbon options available, and investigating opportunities to change car buyer behaviour to further accelerate the reduction in new car average CO2 emissions working with a range of stakeholders.

The Group's achievements include:

Introduction of a voluntary labelling scheme for new cars which 94% of car dealerships now employ and extension to used cars.
Research into car buyers purchasing decisions and the so called "action-attitude" gap.
Facilitation of the debate on the replacement to the voluntary agreement to reduce CO2 from cars.
Investigation into the potential for carbon savings from vans and informing the debate on European Van CO2 regulation.
Development of the 'Environmental marketing of cars best practice guide' working in conjunction with SMMT and ISBAR to improve green claims in car marketing.

The Group's current work is focused on:

Investigating how to change car buyers' behaviour
Developing initiatives to better inform light commercial vehicle buyers
Reviewing the 'Environmental marketing of cars best practice guide' with regard to digital media.

Chair: Tim Shallcross (IAM Trust - Consultant)

Commercial Vehicle Steering Group

The Commercial Vehicle Working Group was established in November 2003 to advise on the issue of CO2 emissions from Heavy Commercial Vehicles. The activities of this Group are currently reduced pending a decision from DfT on recommendations on policy regarding promoting low carbon HGVs.

The Group's achievements include:

Commissioned a technology road map for low carbon HGVs, which has been developed further by the Automotive Council.
Investigated HGV operators attitudes and vehicle purchasing behaviour and the role of incentives.
Investigated vehicle testing and the role of computer modelling.
Development of a framework for low carbon HGV certification.
Recommendation to DfT as to how to accelerate the take up of low carbon HGVs in the UK.

The Group's current work is on hold awaiting a decision from DfT as to which policy direction it wishes to take. Proposed future activity will focus around:

Development of the a low carbon HGV certification scheme.
Investigation of how to reduce HGV fleets' carbon footprint.

Chair: Hugh Tucker (UKPIA)

Fuels Working Group

The Fuels Working Group focuses on providing analysis and strategic advice on future low carbon fuels, including biofuels and hydrogen.

Members are utilising UK and international studies to develop a common analysis of the short, medium and long-term options and implementation scenarios for the UK's low carbon transport fuels future.

As part of their remit, the group develops advice on a suitable fiscal framework for low carbon fuels and identifies options for research and development.

Chair: Richard Stark (British Sugar)

Innovation Working Group

LowCVP's Innovation Working Group supports the development and introduction of new low carbon technologies into the marketplace. The issues facing technology developers, in particular emergent and SME organisations, in finding research, business and investor partners, overcoming market barriers and receiving commercial opportunities are the primary focus.

The group has diverse membership: academics, emerging businesses, engineering consultants, test and evaluation houses, funding providers, local, regional and national government departments and various companies in the supply chain.

Chaired by Dave Greenwood from Ricardo UK, the group meets quarterly to disseminate new opportunities and shape current projects. Projects are set by the group on an annual basis, drawing upon experiences in the sector and challenges being faced in taking innovations from R&D to production scale deployment. Current projects focus on developing the UK’s supply chain in low carbon vehicle technologies, assessing and addressing support to UK organisations and encouraging private sector investment and engagement.

Chair: Dave Greenwood (Ricardo UK Ltd)

If you want to learn more about the Working Groups or would like to join a group, please contact the LowCVP Secretariat.