News

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• France to fund 'green' vehicle research and development
  30 October 2008
  
  The French President has announced support worth €400 million ($550m) over four years for the development and construction of low-carbon vehicles. Speaking at the Paris Motor Show, Nicolas Sarkozy said the money is intended "exclusively for the research and development of non-polluting vehicles, that is vehicles with the least possible emission of carbon dioxide, whether electric cars or hybrids." The money will come from funds already ring-fenced for environmental projects.
• Two planets needed to sustain our lifestyles by 2030s - WWF report
  29 October 2008
  
  The world is heading for an environmental crisis far worse than the current financial 'credit crunch' because the rapidly growing population is building up a massive 'ecological debt' to the planet. The WWF's latest Living Planet Report says that by the mid 2030s humans will need the ecological resources equivalent to two planets if we are to continue consuming at levels currently projected.
• Government announces funding to encourage electric car introduction
  28 October 2008
  
  The Government has announced a £10m project to encourage the introduction of electric cars to the UK market. The project, to be overseen by the Technology Strategy Board, will involve around 100 electric cars being provided to members of the public and other motorists on a trial basis. Meanwhile, the Government has also announced that 10 companies have been short-listed to provide electric and low carbon vans to some councils and public sector bodies in a £20m scheme which was introduced earlier.
• Arup-Cenex report concludes that electric vehicles can significantly cut carbon
  28 October 2008
  
  A new report, jointly produced by Arup and Cenex for BERR and the DfT, concludes that electric vehicles have the potential to produce significant greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to conventional vehicles over the full life-cycle. The authors recommend the establishment of a forum to help with the coordination and development of the UK’s EV industry and market.
• The Carbon Trust launches Algae Biofuels Challenge
  24 October 2008
  
  The Carbon Trust has launched a project which aims to make biofuels from algae a commercial reality by 2020. The Algae Biofuels Challenge could see up to £30m spent on developing the technology and infrastructure to support algal biofuel developments.
• EU moves to base public procurement decisions on environment criteria
  24 October 2008
  
  EU ministers have proposed the introduction of non-binding targets to base the procurement of public sector fleet vehicles on environmental criteria by 2010. The Commission is expected to propose mandatory green criteria for public buyers in an upcoming proposal to revise the EU energy labelling directive.
• Modec van sales rise; Iveco launches new electric models
  23 October 2008
  
  Tesco has become the first supermarket in Northern Ireland to deploy a fleet of Modec battery powered zero-emission home delivery vans. Meanwhile, Iveco has launched one new hybrid van and another model with a fully electric drive.
• UK a 'hotbed of investment in the low-carbon technology sector'
  20 October 2008
  
  A new report commissioned by Shell Springboard says that the UK is performing very well in terms of attracting venture capital and private equity investment in low carbon companies. The report - 'The Race to Capture the Carbon Pound'- says that the UK has attracted 41 per cent of the total investment from these sources in the EU.
• Government commits to 80% carbon cuts as Climate Change Bill is approved by Parliament
  19 October 2008
  
  The Government has committed the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels. The target will become binding in UK law following the Climate Change Bill's passage through Parliament this week.
• EC launches new hydrogen and fuel cells initiative
  18 October 2008
  
  The European Commission has launched a new fuel cells and hydrogen initiative which aims to support the broad market introduction of these technologies. The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking; a public-private joint technology initiative (JTI)expects to invest nearly €1 billion over six years in fuel cells and hydrogen research, technological development and demonstration across the EU.
• Governments of Ireland and Portugal to support electric vehicle introduction
  12 October 2008
  
  The Irish Government is expected to announce a new Electric Transport Programme inspired by Israel's 'Project Better Place', according to reports in an Irish newspaper. Meanwhile, buyers of electric cars in Portugal are to receive tax breaks under the draft budget announced for 2009.
• Government reshuffle creates Department for Energy and Climate Change
  10 October 2008
  
  A wide-ranging Government reshuffle has created a new Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to be led by Ed Miliband. Geoff Hoon is the new Secretary of State for Transport and Lord Adonis also joins the Department as Minister of State. Peter Mandelson returns to Westminster as the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).
• Small and fuel efficient cars showcased at Paris Motor Show
  10 October 2008
  
  Small and fuel efficient cars were prominent at the Paris Motor Show which took place at the beginning of October. Against the backdrop of difficult market conditions and high fuel prices, the industry showcased some new fuel efficient vehicles and innovative technologies.
• UK Government reported to support 'weakening' of 2012 EU CO2 targets
  10 October 2008
  
  The UK Government is reported to be supporting Franco-German amendments to weaken European Commission proposals to cut CO2 emissions from new cars. The Guardian newspaper claims it has seen a briefing document from the Department for Transport to MEPs which urges them to support three amendments to the European Commission's proposals to limit emissions from new cars to 120g CO2 per km. The briefing states that the UK supports the phase-in of the new limit over three years, to extend less challenging targets to small manufacturers and to allow 'eco-innovations' which are not part of the formal emissions tests to be allowed towards the targets.
• SMMT Sustainability Report shows improvements in environmental performance
  9 October 2008
  
  The motor industry has cut the amount of CO2 emitted in the vehicle production process by 14% in the last year according to the SMMT's 9th Sustainability Report. CO2 emissions from production have fallen by 45% since 1999 and there have also been improvements in water use and waste to landfill.
• Renewable Fuels Agency issues first quarterly report on biofuels
  8 October 2008
  
  The Renewable Fuels Agency has published its first quarterly report on biofuels supplied to the UK market. In the first quarter of the year to April 2009, biofuels accounted for 2.61% of the total road transport fuel supplied to the market. More biodiesel (84%) has been supplied than bioethanol (16%). The report discloses company-specific sustainability and carbon information for the biofuels sold in the UK.
• Lord Stern calls for investment in climate change measures to help tackle credit crunch
  7 October 2008
  
  The author of the ground-breaking Stern Review, Lord Stern of Brentford, has called on the Government to invest heavily in technology and other efforts to tackle climate change as a means of also stimulating economic growth and beating the credit crunch. Lord Stern said that inspirational leadership is now required to tackle the major risks threatening the economy and the environment.
• Malcolm Noyle receives outstanding achievement award for work on greening fleets
  1 October 2008
  
  The work in the 'green fleet' sector of the former LowCVP vice chairman, Malcolm Noyle, has been recognised at the 2008 GreenFleet Awards which were held on 25th September at Twickenham Stadium.
• Survey shows more buyers want low emission cars
  27 September 2008
  
  75% of car buyers plan to look for a vehicle with low CO2 emissions when making their next purchase according to a survey by the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) which polled the views of 2,665 people. Over 80% also said that fuel economy is more important to them than high performance.
• US Government in $25bn plan to help car industry go greener
  26 September 2008
  
  The US House of Representatives is set to approve proposals for a £25bn package to support the US car industry. Support is to come in the form of low interest loans, enabling US car companies to help reconfigure their manufacturing plants to help them meet new fuel efficiency standards and accelerate development of low carbon vehicles.
• MEPs reject weakening of 2012 'Cars and CO2' targets
  25 September 2008
  
  European Parliament representatives have voted to retain the 2012 cap on average new car emissions of 130g/km despite strong pressure to phase-in the targets and reduce penalties for non-compliance. In a surprise development, the Environment Committee rejected the amendments to the European Commission's proposals which had been put forward by the Industry Committee.
• New appointment to the LowCVP Secretariat
  25 September 2008
  
  The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership has appointed Chris Brown as the Stakeholder Relations Manager to extend the reach of the Department for Transport’s ACT ON CO2 campaign.
• ASA upholds complaints against Lexus over climate claims
  25 September 2008
  
  The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered that press advertisements for the Lexus RX 400h were misleading and should not appear again. The Lexus advertisement stated that the vehicle was "Perfect for today's climate (and tomorrow's)...Driving the world's first luxury hybrid SUV makes environmental, and economic, sense." The Lexus RX 400h has CO2 emissions of 192g/km.
• Iogen makes first shipment of cellulosic ethanol to Shell
  25 September 2008
  
  Iogen has made the first shipment of cellulosic ethanol to Shell as part of a commercial alliance with the energy giant to produce renewable fuel for use in Shell's fuel applications. Iogen has supplied 100,000 litres of an initial 180,000 litre order from Shell.
• Ruth Kelly to stand down as Transport Secretary
  24 September 2008
  
  The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has announced that she is to leave the Government at the next cabinet reshuffle which is expected to take place in the next fortnight.