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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Greenpeace: '10 easy steps to cut car emissions by 2012'
20 September 2008
Greenpeace has published a 'Climate Control Manual' which it says is a response to the proposed EU 'Cars and CO2' legislation. The manual proposes a range of practical steps that can be taken by manufacturers to cut CO2 emissions from the cars they produce. -
BERR announces membership of NAIGT expert groups
18 September 2008
BERR has published full details of five expert groups comprising the new Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT). Membership of the NAIGT consists of senior figures from the automotive industry including individuals from vehicle manufacturing, the supply industry and academia. -
LowCVP triumphs in GreenFleet eco-driving challenge
15 September 2008
Greg Archer and Jonathan Murray of the LowCVP have won the GreenFleet Capital Fuel Challenge for eco-driving, held as part of the GreenFleet Capital Arrive ’n Drive event in July. -
MEPs vote to revise transport biofuels target
12 September 2008
The European Parliament's Industry Committee has voted to amend the European Commission's target for renewable fuels to comprise 10% of all transport fuels by 2020. The Committee voted for a plan under which 40% of the biofuels target should come from alternatives to so-called 'first generation' biofuels. -
'Smarter driving' techniques introduced into driving test
10 September 2008
The Government has announced that learner drivers will be trained in 'eco-safe' driving techniques as a part of their driving test. Jim Fitzpatrick, the transport minister, said that an extra £3 million will be devoted to promoting 'smarter driving' techniques to help all motorists save on fuel costs. Advice will also be provided on purchasing more fuel efficient cars. -
Toyota and EDF team up to trial new plug-in hybrid
10 September 2008
EDF Energy and Toyota GB have announced they are collaborating in road trials of the UK's first 'plug-in' hybrid vehicle (PHV). The trials will involve EDF employees road-testing the cars over a year to evaluate their performance. Meanwhile, EDF Energy has installed the first of 40 charging posts in the UK, and part of the trial will also test an innovative charging and invoicing system. -
LowCVP fringe meetings at Party Conferences
10 September 2008
The LowCVP is collaborating in fringe meetings at the upcoming party conferences on the theme of transport in an oil and climate-constrained world. The LowCVP's events - organised with partners WWF and The Campaign for Better Transport - will take place at Climate Clinic venues on 22nd and 29th September. -
Sweden to phase out popular low carbon car subsidy scheme
9 September 2008
The Swedish Government has decided to phase out a €90m subsidy scheme to encourage private motorists to buy low carbon cars. The scheme has proven so popular that the Government has had to more than treble spending (from an original €27m) and is closing it next June, six months earlier than originally planned. -
Government aims for a million 'green jobs' by 2030
8 September 2008
The Government's new strategy for manufacturing sets out a vision for a globally competitive sector which consolidates on areas of existing comparative advantage and specialises in high technology processes. It aims for the UK to lead the World in manufacturing solutions for a low carbon economy and aims for at least a million jobs in the 'green economy' by 2030. -
4x4 sales tumble in after-market
6 September 2008
Second-hand 4x4s and larger, premium vehicles have seen falling prices and sales over the last 6 months. Estimates for the first half of 2008 suggest that the average value of a used car bought at auction has fallen by more than £1,000. -
EPSRC seeks information on low carbon vehicle research for LCV-IP Integrated Delivery Programme
4 September 2008
The EPSRC, on behalf of the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform (LCV-IP), has made a call for information on existing research projects of relevance to low carbon vehicles that have involved academic partners. The call aims to highlight the existing 'state of the art' research of relevance to the LCV-IP, in order to identify the most relevant projects for adoption into this major programme. -
Honda Insight to be revamped and relaunched
4 September 2008
Honda has revealed that it will revive the name of the first hybrid gasoline-electric car introduced in the United States, the Honda Insight. The new hybrid Honda Insight will go on sale in the US in April 2009 and is expected to sell for approximately US$19,000. -
European Parliament moves to simplify regulations on hydrogen vehicles
4 September 2008
The European Parliament has supported Commission proposals aimed at simplifying regulation for hydrogen powered vehicles. EU Member States will have the final say but the Commission has already stressed its approval of the move. -
Tesla to expand range of electric vehicles
3 September 2008
The California-based manufacturer Tesla has announced plans to to expand its range of electric cars with the introduction of an all-electric saloon in 2010. According to Tesla, the Model S will be a five passenger, multi-use sport saloon with a driving range of approximately 225 miles on one charge using the lithium-ion battery and drive technology used in the Tesla Roadster. -
Tougher CO2 rules are strengthening parts suppliers say industry experts
2 September 2008
Tougher CO2 regulations are encouraging automotive parts suppliers to develop technologies that will make cars more fuel efficient and cut CO2 emissions according to industry experts. Car makers may benefit from strengthening their ties with the supplier industry to ensure they retain competitive advantage which is arising from the developments, they say. -
Hertz launches UK city car club
2 September 2008
Hertz, the leading vehicle rental agency is to add a city car club arm to its UK operations. The company intends to extend this approach to mainland Europe and the United States in the next few months. Another vehicle rental agency, Avis, closed down its own car club, Urbigo, two years ago after poor subscription to the service. -
Mayor outlines climate change adaptation strategy for London
29 August 2008
London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, has launched a new strategy which outlines how the capital will adapt to climate change. The Mayor said that climate change mitigation efforts must continue, but there is also a need to prepare for the effects climate change will have on the city. Meanwhile, the Mayor has appointed a new environmental policy adviser. -
EU survey shows public support for CO2 reductions by car manufacturers
29 August 2008
A survey, undertaken in five countries of the European Union, found that the majority of people believe measures should be introduced to force car manufacturers to reduce CO2 from cars to help combat climate change. -
LowCVP annual conference gains plaudits
26 August 2008
90% of attendees at the LowCVP's annual conference, which took place alongside the Motor Show on 23 July, rated the event as 'good' or 'very good' according to feedback received by the LowCVP secretariat. The vast majority of delegates who responded (over 30% of the attendees) also said the event was good value for money. -
Car industry progress on CO2 'still too slow' - T&E survey
26 August 2008
The average CO2 emissions of new cars sold in Europe fell by 1.7% in 2007 - an improvement on 2006 but still too slow to reach the EU's proposed emissions targets, according to the report's publishers T&E. The environmental group says that the 14 top car makers in Europe must still cut tailpipe CO2 emissions by 17% to reach the EU's 2012 target of 130 grams a kilometre. -
French Government declares car 'feebates' system a success
20 August 2008
The bonus/malus or feebate system which has been introduced in France to encourage car buyers to make 'greener' purchase choices has been declared a success by the French environment minister. Encouraged by the early indications from the scheme, Jean-Louis Borloo has called for the system to be applied to other types of products - including televisions, computers, tyres and some electrical products. -
International Auto Federation says industry making 'uneven progress' in efforts to cut emissions
19 August 2008
Some car makers are making better progress than others in reducing CO2 emissions and other exhaust pollutants according to a report by the International Automotive Federation (FIA). The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and represents motoring organisations and car users. -
International expert group establishes draft environmental standards for biofuels
18 August 2008
A group of UN-backed experts has issued a first draft of new sustainability standards for biofuels. The draft provides a methodology for assessing the economic, social and environmental effects of biofuels. The methodology is based on the work of the LowCVP. -
BMW unveil cloth-covered concept car
15 August 2008
BMW has unveiled a cloth-covered prototype vehicle from German car-maker BMW that is covered with fabric rather than metal. -
Sustainability rises rapidly up car company priorities - IBM executive survey
14 August 2008
Sustainability is now the second most important priority for the automotive industry, after technological progress, according to a survey based on interviews with 125 car company executives in 15 countries, according to a report by the IBM Institute for Business Value. Hybridisation and battery technology are expected to lead the drive towards greater environmental sustainability according to the report. -
EC may appoint Commissioner for Climate Change
13 August 2008
The European Commission may appoint a commissioner dedicated to tackling the challenge of climate change according to a report by ENDS. The appointment would unite climate-related issues which currently cross several different departments in the Commission. -
'Grease to Greece' project to highlight transport uses for waste oils
11 August 2008
The "Grease to Greece" rally, which set set off to drive all the way to Athens from London in mid-August, aims to show the potential for waste oils - including chip fat, left-over cooking oil and burger van grease - to be used as road transport fuel were set to arrive on schedule on 27 August. -
Renewable Fuels Agency publishes first report on biofuels use and origins
7 August 2008
The first monthly report of the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) on fuels supplied under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) covering the period 15 April - 14 May 2008 was released in August. Biofuels accounted for 2.14% of UK road fuel during April-May 2008 against a target for the year of 2.5%, set under the RTFO. Most of the biofuel supplied (86%) was biodiesel. In this first month, 19% of biofuels met environmental standards compared to a target for the year of 30%. -
Nissan to introduce 'ECO pedal' as aid to driving efficiency
7 August 2008
Nissan has announced that it is to introduce an accelerator pedal that can help to optimise fuel efficiency and assist 'smarter driving'. The 'ECO pedal', which can be switched on or off by the driver, can push back on the driver's foot when it detects excess pressure and poor fuel efficiency. It will be introduced into some Nissan models from next year. -
MPs Committee says proposed car tax changes are not unfair
5 August 2008
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) says that there is "nothing intrinsically unfair or unusual" about setting new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for cars that have already been purchased. The Committee also welcomes the additional first-year tax which has come to be known as 'showroom tax' and intended to influence car buyers decisions at purchase. However, the EAC says that the reforms are not sufficiently ambitious and won't cut CO2 emissions from road transport as much as is needed. -
EC consults on post-Kyoto climate change policy
4 August 2008
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on Europe's approach to a global climate change agreement post-2012 when the Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing greenhouse gases come to an end. -
Motorists turning to electric cars
2 August 2008
A survey of British drivers by car insurance company esure has found that almost three quarters (71%)of UK motorists would consider driving an electric car. The poll also shows that high fuel prices and the economic downturn are combining to change motorists' attitudes, with nearly one fifth thinking about changing their car for a more efficient model. -
Spain to reduce speed limits to save energy
1 August 2008
Spain plans to reduce speed limits on dual carriageways near cities to 50mph as part of a package of measures designed to save energy, cut carbon emissions and reduce the country’s high fuel import bill. -
Two staff vacancies in the LowCVP Secretariat
30 July 2008
The LowCVP is looking to recruit two staff to join the Secretariat as: • Programme Manager Low Carbon Vehicles and Fuels • Stakeholder Relations Manager – Act on CO2 Campaign. -
Road transport is main source of air pollutants in EU - EEA
29 July 2008
A new European Environment Agency report shows road transport is the EU’s main source of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds, as well as the second-most important source of dust or ‘fine particulate emissions’. -
Low carbon a high priority at British Motor Show
26 July 2008
The prospects for the wider introduction for electric and hybrid cars appear to have been given a boost by the London Motor Show which opened at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands on 23 July. The show features, for the first time, a 'Greener Driving Pavilion' and an 'Electric Vehicle Village'. Environmental themes are present on most stands and the colour-coded fuel economy label is prominently displayed across the Show. -
Prof Julia King appointed to Committee on Climate Change
25 July 2008
Professor Julia King has been appointed to the Committee on Climate Change. The Committee has been established under the Climate Change Bill, currently before Parliament, to provide independent, expert advice on how the UK can best meet its Climate Change goals. -
Transport Secretary leads strong cast of speakers at LowCVP Conference
24 July 2008
The Transport Secretary says that a transformation is needed in the way we move ourselves and our goods around if we are to meet the goal of tackling climate change. Speaking at the LowCVP's fifth annual conference, held alongside the Motor Show, Ruth Kelly said that she believes that the vision of a low carbon transport future has come a lot closer in the last year. -
LowCVP Conference presentations now on-line!
24 July 2008
Presentations from the LowCVP Conference, which took place on July 23rd at the ExCel Arena alongside the Motor Show, are now available on the LowCVP website. Go to the LowCVP Viewpoint/LowCVP Presentations section or follow the adjacent link to find them. To view the Secretary of State's speech follow the associated link to the DfT website. -
Buying 'greener' could save car buyers £375 in fuel alone - EST report
23 July 2008
Buying the 'greenest' vehicle in its class could save the average motorist up to £375 a year in fuel costs alone according to a new report by the Energy Saving Trust. The report says, however, that 74% of UK drivers are not aware of their car's carbon dioxide emissions. -
PM aims to boost 'greener' motoring with low carbon initiatives; Mayor announces electric initiative in London
23 July 2008
Visiting the British Motor Show, the Prime Minister has set out plans to encourage the shift to low carbon and electric cars in the UK. Mr Brown reiterated that the Government plans to make £90m available for UK research, development and demonstration of low carbon vehicles over the next five years. In a separate development, the Mayor of London has announced plans to provide another 100 electric charging points across the city and to create a London-based Electric Vehicle Partnership. -
LowCVP News: Advertising spending on fuel efficient cars doubled in 2007
23 July 2008
The motor industry has shifted advertising spending towards more fuel efficient cars according to a survey carried out on behalf of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP). -
LowCVP News: Environment label now displayed on over 80% of new cars
23 July 2008
The vast majority of car dealerships are now displaying the colour-coded fuel economy label which was introduced in a voluntary initiative, brokered by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, in 2005. In a large-scale ‘mystery shopper’ survey, 82% of new cars on display were found to be correctly labelled (65% in 2007) and the label was being used in 91% of car dealerships (86% in 2007). -
Motor Show sees launch of high performance electric sports car
22 July 2008
A British specialist car maker, the Lightning Car Company, has launched a lightweight electric sports car which can go from 0-60mph in four seconds, travel up to 130mph and which has range of 250 miles. The new Lightning GT electric sports car features regenerative braking and a power distributing wheel management system which improves efficiency.