News

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• Government proposes RTFO delay following Gallagher Report publication
  8 July 2008
  
  The Government has announced proposals to slow down the rate of introduction of biofuels through the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO). The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, said that she intends to consult on the proposal to delay the introduction of the requirement for biofuels to comprise 5% of road transport fuel from 2010/11 to 2013/14. The Government's announcement follows the publication of the 'Gallagher Review' by the Renewable Fuels Agency which expresses concern about the impacts of biofuels growth and advocates a slowdown in the rate of their introduction.
• Mayor scraps emissions-based Congestion Charge plans
  8 July 2008
  
  Boris Johnson, the new Mayor of London, has scrapped plans for CO2 emissions-based Congestion Charging in Central London. The decision overturns plans introduced by Johnson's predecessor, Ken Livingstone, to introduce a sliding scale of charges (from zero to £25) based on a car's CO2 performance. The move ends Porsche's legal battle with Transport for London over the proposed £25 charge for 'Band G' vehicles.
• LowCVP Conference - 23 July - A few exhibition spaces left!
  30 June 2008
  
  There are a few exhibition spaces left at the LowCVP conference, which takes place alongside the Motor Show at London Docklands' ExCel Centre on 23 July. Exhibitors will also benefit from a free conference delegate place and information to be included in the delegate pack.
• Biofuels sustainability label study published
  27 June 2008
  
  A LowCVP study into the potential for the introduction of a voluntary sustainability label for biofuels has concluded that while there are challenges, the development and operation of a label is feasible. While some demand was shown to exist for such a mechanism, the study concluded that the time is not yet appropriate for its introduction.
• Russia's Gazprom in moves to develop CNG refuelling network in Europe
  27 June 2008
  
  Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled gas company, has proposed the establishment of a network of compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations for cars across Europe. The company says that running cars on natural gas could be an effective and significantly cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel for which prices have reached record highs.
• Government signals greater role for electric vehicles as it unveils renewable energy strategy
  27 June 2008
  
  The Government has announced plans for a rapid increase in renewable energy generation and use, involving private sector investments of £100bn in wind, tidal and wave energy as well as microgeneration. For transport, the Government highlighted the potential for the large scale use of renewable electricity as a vehicle fuel.
• Energy Saving Trust report provides roadmap to a low carbon lifestyle
  27 June 2008
  
  A new report from the Energy Saving Trust sets out a practical, down-to-earth vision of how the Government's carbon emissions reduction targets can be met. The EST says that people do not need to adopt austere lifestyles, or make unpleasant personal sacrifices; in fact, a low carbon lifestyle could improve the quality of all our lives.
• Fiat criticised by ASA over advertising messages for low carbon cars
  26 June 2008
  
  Fiat has become the latest car maker to be criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making misleading claims in relation to two adverts for low carbon models in the national press. The ASA upheld complaints against Fiat for potentially misleading price claims.
• MEPs favour earlier clean vehicle procurement plans
  26 June 2008
  
  The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has proposed the bringing forward of plans to ensure compulsory clean and efficient procurement of public transport fleets and utility vehicles in Europe.
• Oxfam condemns biofuel promotion policies in new report
  25 June 2008
  
  Current biofuel policies are not contributing to climate or fuel security but are instead adding to food insecurity and price inflation according to the international development agency, Oxfam.
• EU 'Cars and CO2' regulation - 2020 target proposed as Italy opposes Franco-German 'deal' on emissions
  25 June 2008
  
  Pressure for a regulated 2020 average new car target of around 100g/km is growing in Europe following reports of an agreement between Germany and France which will weaken the targets proposed for 2012. Meanwhile, the European Parliament's Transport Committee has voted down proposals to reduce financial penalties for failure to meet the regulatory targets.
• LowCVP Conference, 23 July - 'Early Bird' discount ends tomorrow!
  24 June 2008
  
  Delegates planning to attend the LowCVP Conference on 23 July can save £30 by booking their place before the 'Early Bird' discount ends tomorrow (close of business Weds 25 June). Conference attendees will gain an early insight into environmental transport plans for London under Mayor Boris Johnson. Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's newly appointed Director of Transport Policy will speak in the opening session of the conference, following Stefan Moser of the European Commission's Environment Directorate and the Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly. Mr Moser speaks for EC's Environment Directorate which has lead responsibility for the EU's 'Cars and CO2' regulatory plans.
• Ensus signs deal to supply bio-refinery CO2 output to Yara International
  23 June 2008
  
  The Ensus Group has entered into a long-term partnership agreement with Yara International ASA for the supply of carbon dioxide from Ensus' bioethanol refinery in Teesside to meet Yara's needs in its UK food and beverage businesses.
• Car buyers confused about fuel economy measures say US researchers
  21 June 2008
  
  Expressing a vehicle's fuel efficiency in terms of 'gallons per mile' rather than 'miles per gallon' would help consumers make better decisions about which car to purchase and about environmental impacts according to new research from a US university.
• What Car? to hold first ever 'Green Awards'
  20 June 2008
  
  What Car? the leading car buyer guide is to announce its first ever awards based on environmental criteria at the London Motor Show on 22 July. What Car? says the initiative has been prompted by "overwhelming requests from readers for information on green cars".
• LowCVP conference to feature international, national and local policy leaders
  20 June 2008
  
  Delegates attending the LowCVP Conference on 23 July will gain an early insight into environmental transport plans for London under Mayor Boris Johnson. Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's newly appointed Director of Transport Policy will speak in the opening session of the conference, following Stefan Moser of the European Commission's Environment Directorate and the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. Mr Moser, Acting Head of DG-ENV's Clean Air and Transport Unit, speaks for the Directorate with lead responsibility for the EU's 'Cars and CO2' regulatory plans.(For conference booking details including 'early bird' discounts, read the full story and links.)
• Government amends guidelines on car advertising as EC looks to strengthen laws
  20 June 2008
  
  The Department for Transport has changed its guidance on car advertising following a review of its recommendations on CO2 emissions in promotional information. Car adverts on billboards and in magazines must now have CO2 emissions prominently displayed. The change comes following the threat of legal action by the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s and Friends of the Earth concerning the interpretation of a European Directive.
• Latest EU transport sector CO2 data shows emissions up
  18 June 2008
  
  European emissions of CO2 from transport rose in 2006 despite a fall in overall emissions according to The European Environment Agency. The EEA said that the rise was partly caused by sharp emissions increases in eastern European states.
• Germany to introduce CO2-based car taxes by 2010
  16 June 2008
  
  The German Government has anounced plans to introduce a CO2-based car tax system from 2010. The new system will take into account the CO2 emissions of a passenger car, replacing the annual road tax regime which has been based on engine size.
• Honda introduces fuel cell FCX Clarity
  16 June 2008
  
  Production of the first Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell passenger car has begun at Honda's research and development plant in Japan. A dedicated assembly line for the FCX Clarity has been established at the plant although the cars will largely be hand-assembled in small numbers.
• Van makers under pressure to publish CO2 figures
  10 June 2008
  
  Van makers are working with the Department for Transport to produce CO2 emissions figures for commercial vehicles in an effort to help fleet managers improve the environmental performance of their operations. While it has been an obligation of van makers to produce CO2 figures for the vehicles they sell since January 2008, they are not legally obliged to publish them.
• Oil prices drive sales of 'gas guzzlers' down as GM announces moves to build fewer big cars
  7 June 2008
  
  UK registrations of 4x4s and other large vehicles fell sharply in May this year compared with the same month a year before. 4x4 registrations were down 18% while there were increases in sales of smaller cars, according to the latest data reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Meanwhile, General Motors has announced plans to reconfigure its US operations to produce a higher proportion of smaller cars.
• TfL announces £1m challenge to cut CO2 from taxi fleet
  4 June 2008
  
  The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced £1m funding to support the demonstration of low carbon technology in London's taxi fleet. Transport for London (TfL) and Cenex, who are jointly funding the sceme, are inviting manufacturers to put forward proposals for the trial of low carbon taxi technologies.
• MEPs call for higher carbon savings from biofuels
  4 June 2008
  
  The European Parliament's Environment Committee has given its backing to the Committee rapporteur's proposal that biofuels should deliver greater greenhouse gas savings than are currently proposed by the European Commission.
• The LowCVP Secretariat has moved (again)!
  29 May 2008
  
  On Thursday, 29 May 2008 the LowCVP Secretariat moved to new offices. The new address and phone number are: 83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW. Tel: +44 (0)20 3178 7859Tel: +44 (0)20 3178 7859