Policy Developments

Europe to introduce requirements for fuels' life-cycle emissions cuts

Europe is moving closer to finalising a new fuel quality law which will require fuel suppliers to cut full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from road fuels by six per cent between 2010 and 2020.

more >

EU likely to incorporate indirect land-use changes in biofuels greenhouse calculations

Europe looks likely to include the impact of indirect land-use changes in calculations of biofuels' greenhouse gas impacts according to a report in ENDS. The report says, however, that the law makers are divided on when to incorporate this factor into the calculations.

more >

European 'Cars and CO2' negotiations reach final stages

The EU's proposed 'Cars and CO2' Regulation remains unresolved as legislators thrash out the final details of the draft legislation which is due to be completed shortly. Reports suggest that the focus of the negotiations is around the proposal for introducing a 2020 target of 95g/km for average new car emissions.

more >

Pre-Budget Report limits rate of VED changes, announces incentives for low carbon buses

The Chancellor has announced that CO2-based Vehicle Excise Duty changes will be introduced more gradually than previously planned. The Pre-Budget Report also includes an increase in fuel duty – though it is more than offset by the general VAT reduction – and the promise that reforms to the system of bus subsidies will provide incentives for operators to introduce low carbon buses.

more >

Mayor of London outlines environmental strategy for the capital

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has outlined his vision for creating a 'green' economy in the capital. He plans to make London more energy efficient and help poorer households cut energy bills. In the Mayor’s first major speech on the environment since being elected, he set out how London can cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 and make the city a 'greener', more pleasant place for its residents.

more >

Brussels proposes EU-wide tyre label and broader labelling directive scope

European tyre manufacturers may be required to display information about the environmental performance of their products at the point of sale, following a bill tabled to Parliament by the European Commission. The proposed legislation is intended to encourage consumers to choose to buy lower emission and quieter tyres.

more >

Reports & Studies

Report outlines measures to cut transport's contribution to climate change

A new report says that transport's contribution to climate changing emissions could be cut by a quarter by 2020. The proposals include policies to promote behavioural change, legislation, planning and other forms of incentivisation.

more >

Climate Change News

The IEA warns of costs of policy action delay on climate

The International Energy Agency in its annual World Energy Outlook warns that continued growth in energy use with "business as usual" policies would have "shocking" consequences for the climate - raising average temperatures by up to 6°C. According to the panel of international experts, the IPCC, warming on this scale would be catastrophic.

more >

LowCVP News

!!Diary Date!! LowCVP Annual Conference 2009 - 30 April (Postponed)

(NB Due to the postponement of the Sexy Green Motor Show, the LowCVP conference has also been postponed - more details to follow.)
The LowCVP's 2009 annual conference will take place alongside the first London International 'Sexy Green Motor Show' on Thursday 30 April 2009. The event will provide delegates with an opportunity to preview the Show which comes to London after two successful years at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

more >

ACT ON CO2 Campaign: Partners sought for smart driving and nearly-new car label initiatives

Chris Brown, LowCVP’s recently-appointed Stakeholder Relations Manager for the Department of Transport’s ACT ON CO2 campaign, is keen to hear from potential partners who may wish to get involved in the campaign in one of two key ways.

more >

New appointment to the LowCVP Secretariat

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership has appointed Roy Williamson as Programme Manager. Roy will be working closely with members to tackle barriers and develop opportunities for business in the low carbon road transport sector.

more >

Industry News

West Midlands RDA and Jaguar Land Rover announce £80m for low carbon vehicle R&D projects

An £80m programme agreed between Advantage West Midlands - one of the Regional Development Agencies - and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will create a low carbon vehicle development and proving centre to link high tech research with manufacturing. An initial £50m from JLR will be supplemented by £30m from AWM.

more >

Motor industry calls for government support to limit recession impacts

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) have written to the Chancellor and the Business Secretary to request support measures for the motor industry to mitigate the effects of the economic recession.

more >

Opel bid by green energy pioneer

The Chief Executive of a German renewable energy company has made a surprise bid for General Motor’s German car unit Opel. Frank Asbeck of SolarWorld said his company would pay 1 billion Euros (US$1.26 billion) for Opel and create the “first green European automotive group”.

more >

International Developments

Portugal and Renault-Nissan sign electric car deal; Australia launches 'greener car plan'

The Portugese Government has signed a deal with Renault-Nissan to create a national network of 1300 electric vehicle charging stations within three years. The vehicles will be provided by Renault-Nissan. Meanwhile, the Australian Government has announced a series of measures under its 'New Car Plan for a Greener Future'.

more >

European 'Green Car Task Force' to be set up to capitalise on future opportunities

A Europe-wide task force to promote greener cars is to be set up as a result of a decision taken at a meeting of stakeholders of the high-level 'CARS21' group which met to discuss ways to foster a more competitive European car industry.

more >

Other News

Joe Greenwell to be next president of the SMMT

Joe Greenwell, Ford of Europe's vice president, governmental affairs will be the next president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) with effect from 1 January 2009. A Board member of the LowCVP, Joe Greenwell succeeds Graham Smith OBE - the current chairman of the LowCVP Board - who is stepping down at the end of his two year term.

more >

'Sexy Green Motor Show' to come to London in 2009

The 'Sexy Green Motor Show' is to come to London on May 1-4, 2009. The Eden Project, founders of the show, has teamed up with the British International Motor Show organisers, International Motor Industry Events (imie), to showcase greener vehicles and technologies at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands.

more >

Events

Michelin Challenge Bibendum, 25-29 April 2009 (NB EVENT POSTPONED TO 2010)
25th Apr 2009

Organised and facilitated by Michelin, the World's leading tyre manufacturer and mobility services provider, Challenge Bibendum is a leading international event in the area of sustainable road mobility where industry, policymakers, academia and the media can review the latest technologies, debate policies and share their visions.

more >

Carbon Reduction 09 Conference and Exhibition
14th May 2009

Creating a Low Carbon Future '09 will enable both public and private sector organisations to come together and communicate decisions and solutions necessary for tackling climate change and energy issues – to set in place the targets and timescales required to deliver on the policies contained within the Energy, Planning and Climate Change Bills. It will provide an important forum for discussion and learning among those leading policy and best practice in the transport sector.

more >

Sustainabilitylive! 2009
19th May 2009

Sustainabilitylive! 2009 runs from 19 to 21 May 2009 and confronts some of the leading issues facing 21st Century businesses including the energy crisis, environmental processes and water supply. The event will include a zone for organisations to showcase their products and services to fleet managers and environmental enthusiasts.

more >

World Biofuels Markets Congress, 16-18 March, 2009
16th Mar 2009

The World Biofuels Market Congress, which takes place from 16-18 March, 2009, in Brussels is a leading international event for commercial and other stakeholders in the biofuels industry.

more >

UK Advanced Engineering 09 - Developing Partnerships in Innovation for Global Growth
3rd Feb 2009

This event, which takes place on 3rd and 4th February, has been created to highlight UK innovation, develop partnerships and enable UK Advanced Engineering companies to grow international business through R&D.

more >