Policy Developments

LowCVP Update: Budget 2007 - Chancellor doubles tax on high carbon vehicles

Amongst the eye catching announcements in the 2007 Budget was the anticipated rise in Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) for the most polluting vehicles. Smaller changes to support the emerging biofuels industry and to support E85 flex-fuelled vehicles were also announced.

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SMF report says road user charging could serve climate change aims

The Social Market Foundation says in a new report that road user charging is technically and politically workable, can give appropriate priority to equity concerns and could make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Local councils to follow Richmond in introducing CO2-based parking charges

Brighton and a number of London councils are planning to introduce CO2-based car parking charges, following the lead of Richmond-upon-Thames Council which voted to introduce them earlier this year.

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London Mayor announces climate change action plan

Ken Livingston, the Mayor of London, has set out a comprehensive action plan to reduce carbon emissions in the capital. The Mayor is calling for "a decisive shift from an economy in which large amounts of energy are produced, and large amounts wasted, to an economy in which energy is conserved".

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Treasury estimates costs of increasing biofuels duty differential

The cost of raising the fuel duty discount for biofuels to 30 pence a litre, from the current 20ppl, would be £50m in 2007-8 and £125m in 2008-9 according to John Healey, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

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DfT announces 'Drive Smarter' communications campaign

The Department for Transport has launched a 'Drive Smarter' campaign which urges motorists to adopt eco-driving tips to cut down on CO2 emissions and save on fuel costs. The DfT says that if all drivers in the UK followed the Smarter Driving tips, CO2 emissions from cars could be cut by 8% and motorists would save over £2bn in fuel bills.

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LowCVP News

The LowCVP launches 'Cars NOT Carbon' greener motoring marketing competition

The Low Vehicle Carbon Partnership is launching the Cars NOT Carbon marketing challenge to promote greener motoring, including ‘smarter driving’ and greener transport choices. The competition is designed to engage marketers, students and industry stakeholders in the production of compelling creative concepts based on ‘real world’ cars and fuels and on greener travel behaviour. The winning work will be viewed by senior industry executives from the motor, fuels and related industries and will be showcased at the LowCVP’s annual conference on June 28th.

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Industry News

DuPont plans to bring biobutanol for transport fuel use to UK market in 2007

DuPont, the world's second largest chemicals company, has announced plans to introduce limited quantities of biobutanol fuel into the UK market later this year. Biobutanol is similar to ethanol and is viewed as having sevaral advantages over ethanol as a transport fuel.

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Honda claims leadership in 'greening' Formula One

Honda's Formula One team has announced that its 2007 car, the RA107, is replacing all commercial logos with a giant image of the earth. Honda says this gesture has great power to raise environmental awareness amongst over 150 million race viewers. Honda says that it is "to rewrite the rule book in terms of sponsorship and communication, while drawing attention to one of the greatest challenges facing the world – climate change and environmental responsibility".

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Modec opens new factory, announces orders and support from Cenex

Modec, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has opened its new production plant in Binley, Coventry and annouced advanced orders for its battery-powered delivery vehicles from Tesco and other organisations. Meanwhile Cenex - the centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies - has announced a project to support Modec in order to accelerate the production and roll-out of demonstration vehicles in London.

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Geneva showcases best in low carbon car technology

Following the European Commission's proposals for a mandatory 2012 target for new car CO2 emissions, the Geneva Motor Show highlighted some of the technologies that leading manufacturers are bringing forward to help them meet the likely target.

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European car makers call for stronger, clearer CO2 car tax policies in Europe

The association of European car makers, ACEA, has circulated an overview of CO2-based taxes in European Union member states with a message saying that the EU members as a whole are still failing to send clear tax signals in favour of cars emitting less CO2.

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Reports & Studies

EEA says 'technical fix' cannot stop growth in transport sector emissions

The European Environment Agency (EEA) says that the environmental performance of Europe's transport sector is still unsatisfactory and that it is lagging behind progress in other sectors in terms of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 and other climate-changing emissions from transport increased by 34 per cent between 1990 and 2004, while declining in other sectors, according to the EEA.

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International Developments

California to introduce CO2 labels for new cars

California is preparing to become the first state in the US to include stickers showing greenhouse gas emissions on new cars. The stickers are expected to be approved by the California Air Resources Board this summer and should start appearing on 2009 model cars and light trucks.

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German new car CO2 emissions show small fall in 2006

Carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in Germany fell by 0.5 percent to 172.5 grams per kilometre in 2006 according to the latest official data. German's motor vehicle department said that for the first time cars fuelled by petrol emitted less CO2 than those running on diesel.

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International biofuels forum launched

An international forum established to improve dialogue between the biggest producers and consumers of biofuels has been launched in New York. The forum is a joint project of Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the US and the European Commission.

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European Council invites Commission to broaden EU ETS to include road transport

The European Council has invited the European Commission to review the EU Emissions Trading Scheme with a view to increasing its transparency and broadening its scope, possibly to include surface transport. Meanwhile the UK Government, in collaboration with business and NGO leaders, has drawn up an agreed manifesto for the EU ETS.

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Events

Naturally Gas - Cenex conference, 1 May 2007
1st May 2007

A one day conference presented by Cenex and sponsored by LowCVP, NSCA and EST promoting the production and use of methane and bio-methane in low carbon automotive applications.

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Developing Biofuels Sustainably: Can it be Done?
17th Apr 2007

Biofuels and sustainability will be the focus of a joint Waterfront/LowCVP conference on 17 April at the Mayfair Conference Centre, London.

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Emissions Trading and the Road Transport Sector: A one-day conference
1st May 2007

There are a few remaining places for the LowCVP/Energy Institute one-day event to discuss the latest thinking on the prospects for introducing a carbon emissions trading system to the road transport sector. LowCVP members receive a £100 (35%) discount on the full delegate fee for the event.

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EIC Conference on Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation - 4 April
4th Apr 2006

The Environmental Industries Commission are holding a conference on the RTFO - 'Fuelling the Future: Making a Success of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation' - on 4 April in central London.

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Other News

Biofuels expansion 'driving up prices of food and drink'

The expansion of biofuels production is beginning to put upward pressure on prices of products used for food and drink according to various press reports.

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