LowCVP News
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1 October 2007 39
Fall in average European new car emissions slows
The average emissions from new cars sold by members of the European car makers association (ACEA) fell by 0.2% in 2006, the worst performance on record, according to Transport and Environment, the Brussels-based campaign group. Overall performance (including the Japanese and Korean manufacturers) was a fall of 0.7%.
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Policy Developments
DfT adds £1.2m to SAFED
Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, has announced an extra £1.2million to train van drivers in greener, safer driving techniques. The Safe and Fuel Efficient Drivers (SAFED) scheme aims to encourage driving techniques that save fuel, thereby cutting costs and CO2 emissions.
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Leaked report suggests Government is considering 'feebates' for new cars
A news report based on a leaked Treasury paper says that the Chancellor is considering the introduction of a purchase tax of up to £2000 on high carbon cars which will be used to finance subsidies on the purchase of the least polluting vehicles.
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Conservatives and LibDems announce proposals to tackle climate change
The Liberal Democrat party has agreed a policy to make Britain carbon neutral by 2050 in the most radical anti-climate change proposals yet adopted by a UK political party. Meanwhile, the Conservatives Quality of Life Group has submitted detailed proposals for mitigating climate change which will be considered for adoption by the Conservatives' shadow cabinet.
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Government announces £20m funding to support low carbon vehicle development
The Government has announced that it will give extra funding to support research for new low carbon vehicles in the UK. The investment is intended to assist innovative companies taking forward low carbon vehicle research, development and demonstration projects and is being made available by the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport.
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Reports & Studies
Report says business leaders must focus more on emissions and cost impacts of company car fleets
The Energy Saving Trust's 'Behind the Wheel' Report examines business leaders’ attitudes to company car fleets and their impact on the environment. The report reveals a worrying lack of interest from many companies over their vehicles’ impact on the environment and the bottom line.
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Reports call for changes in global biofuel policies
A study from the OECD is reported to say that the current push to expand biofuels is disrupting markets without generating significant environmental benefits. Meanwhile, a report by the WorldWatch Institute on the same subject says that a balance must be struck between large and small scale biofuel production. The Institute also says that biofuels could benefit some of the World's rural poor by pushing up agricultural prices.
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CfIT report highlights practical measures to cut transport climate emissions
The Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), the Government's transport advisory body, says that a range of practical, cost-effective measures could cut carbon emissions from UK transport 71% by 2020 compared with current plans.
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Study by leading chemist casts doubt on biofuels climate benefits
A study by a Nobel-prize winning chemist says that growing and burning many biofuel crops may raise, rather than lower, greenhouse gas emissions because emissions of nitrous oxide have previously been understated.
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International Developments
Germany adopts 40% emissions reduction target for 2020; introduces tax benefits for greener cars
The German Cabinet has formally approved a strategy aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared with 1990 levels by 2020 and improving energy efficiency by 3% a year. In a related development, Germany is planning to introduce tax incentives for cleaner cars.
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Environment groups legal victory gives US states chance to mandate carbon cuts from cars
A judge's ruling has opened the door for US states to mandate cutting climate change emissions from cars. Despite objections from the motor industry, a Vermont judge ruled that New York and Vermont may proceed with enacting the California Clean Car Standards pending EPA approval. The standards, adopted by California and 11 or more other states will cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars by 30% when fully implemented in 2016.
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Industry News
GM testing combustion engine that could cut emissions by 15%
General Motors is testing a combustion engine that could increase fuel economy in traditional engines by up to 15 percent. The engine would save fuel by using compression of fuel and air, rather than a spark, to produce heat required to power the engine.
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Cenex announces support for Modec developments
Cenex, the UK's national centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, has announced that it will be supporting the low emission commercial vehicle maker Modec to accelerate the roll-out of customer demonstration vehicles in London.
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Volvo demonstrates range of renewably-fuelled trucks
The Volvo Group has produced seven demonstration trucks that the company says can all be driven without emitting any carbon dioxide. The trucks, displayed in Sweden, were equipped with 9-litre diesel engines modified to operate on seven different types of renewable liquid and gaseous fuels; biodiesel, biogas combined with biodiesel, ethanol/methanol, DME, synthetic diesel and hydrogen gas combined with biogas.
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Improving efficiency and cutting carbon leads to US market share gains
A report from Environmental Defense, a US think-tank, says that car companies which cut their fleet average CO2 emissions also took a larger share of the US car market. Over a 15-year period, Toyota and BMW both cut CO2 emissions and gained market share from less carbon-efficient competitors.
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Fiat and Microsoft collaborate in system to support eco-driving
Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft have launched a system which can accurately monitor a car's environmental performance and help provide guidance to a driver on how efficiently the vehicle is being driven.
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Porsche 'considering legal action' over EU 2012 regulations
Porsche is reported to be considering taking legal action if the EU proceeds with proposed new CO2 emissions regulations aimed a cutting average new car emissions to 120g/km by 2012. The German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, cited a spokesman for the German carmaker.
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Frankfurt showcases low emission cars but makers also unveil performance models
A wide range of 'greener' cars from most manufacturers were on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show but several also unveiled larger, performance cars including a number of sport utility vehicles.
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Technology News
University team develop dashboard emissions indicator
A Manchester University team has built a device capable of recording levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane from directly inside an exhaust and of displaying them on a vehicle's dashboard.
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Hybrid developments gaining pace
Car makers and supply chain innovators are increasingly venturing into the development of hybrid models and new takes on this increasingly popular technology.
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Consultations
Government seeks views on EU Fuel Quality Directive
The Department for Transport is seeking the views of stakeholders on the European Commission proposal to amend the EU Fuel Quality Directive. The proposed amendments would require fuel suppliers to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of fuels by 10%. In a related development, the European Parliament's rapporteur is calling on the EU to ensure the plans include biofuels sustainability criteria.
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LowCVP News
LowCVP organises seminars to help inform the King Review
The LowCVP has organised three seminars for the team undertaking the King Review of low carbon cars following a suggestion by the Partnership Secretariat.
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LowCVP fringe meetings on biofuels at party conferences
The LowCVP has organised fringe meetings on the subject 'Biofuels: more good than harm?' at each of the party conferences. The meetings, which are open to the public, will take place on the Tuesday evening (7.30pm) of each conference in venues provided by the 'Climate Clinic'.
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Secretary of State visits low carbon car display at Labour Conference
The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, visited a display of greener vehicles organised by the LowCVP on behalf of the Climate Clinic at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth. The vehicle display was also visited by transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
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Other News
Transport2000 changes name to Campaign for Better Transport
Transport2000 has changed its name to become Campaign for Better Transport.The organisation's website says that its overall aim has, however, stayed the same: "to fight for transport that improves our quality of life and reduces our environmental impact."
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Events
Promoting Low Carbon Vehicles: Policy and Practical Action
7th Nov 2007
Michael Roberts, Director of Business Environment at the CBI, will provide the keynote address at this conference on the subject of the Commission for Integrated Transport's new report 'Transport and Climate Change'. The conference, organised by the Waterfront Conference Company and presented in association with the LowCVP, will also will feature an address by Prof Julia King following the publication of the interim King/Stern report on decarbonising the UK's road transport sector. There will be discussions on current policy developments including the prospects for European new car CO2 regulation and responses from the motor industry.
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LowCVP Member Profile:
Microcab Industries Ltd
Microcab develops environmentally-friendly vehicles for light urban transport, e.g. taxis, light deliveries, service operations, and private use. Associated with Coventry University, the company empha... more >
