International Developments
EC under fire as it launches consultation on cars and CO2 regulatory proposals
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the implementation of its proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles. The proposals have come under attack from the European carmakers association, Acea, and - from a different perspective - by an influential committee of MEPs.
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LowCVP News
The LowCVP participates in California Symposium on Low Carbon Fuels
The LowCVP was represented amongst an international panel of fuel experts in California who met to preview plans for the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). A keynote address was given by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Cars NOT Carbon competition final deadline approaches - 28 May
There are just a few days to go until the final deadline for entries to the LowCVP's Cars NOT Carbon competition which focuses on greener motoring marketing. The announcement of the winning entries to the competition will be an important focus of the LowCVP's annual conference which is set to take place on 28 June in central London.
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LowCVP Annual Conference - 28 June - agenda announced!
The LowCVP's fourth annual conference on June 28th will feature a high profile line-up of speakers - including Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander - and will focus on some of the key, current issues in the battle to reduce the climate change impacts of road transport.
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Visit the LowCVP discussion forum on the website
LowCVP member organisations now have access to a members-only discussion forum on the LowCVP website to enable informal discussion of the current key issues on the low carbon vehicles and fuels agenda.
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First full LowCVP stakeholder survey to be conducted
Representatives of LowCVP member organisations will be invited to give their views on key current issues relating to the low carbon vehicle and fuel agenda in the LowCVP's first wide-scale stakeholder opinion survey during June. The results of the survey will be presented at the LowCVP conference on 28 June.
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Industry News
Vectrix launches electric motorbike
Vectrix has launched an electric motorbike which the company claims runs like a conventionally-fuelled fuelled bike. The launch, at London’s new Spitalfield’s Market, showcased the 'zero emissions scooter', boasting acceleration from 0 to 50 mph in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of more than 60mph.
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Renault Launches eco2 branding
Renault is introducing a new descriptor — 'Renault eco2' —to help consumers more readily identify its most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly products.
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BMW Hydrogen 7 arrives in the UK; Honda debut fuel cell car
BMW has announced that eight BMW Hydrogen 7s have arrived in Britain and will be showcased at several public events over the summer. Meanwhile, Honda's 2008 FCX fuel cell vehicle prototype has been trialled by motoring journalists.
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Teesside bioethanol plant building starts
Construction of the UK's first world-scale bioethanol plant has begun on Teesside. The event was attended by David Miliband, the Enviroment Secretary.
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Toyota expects to eliminate hybrid cost premium
Toyota Motor Corp expects to cut the costs of manufacturing hybrid cars sufficiently by 2010 for them to be as profitable to make as conventional models.
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General Motors is first carmaker to join US Climate Action Partnership
General Motors has become the first carmaker to join a US-based coalition of large companies and environmental groups lobbying calling for mandatory action on a national level to fight climate change.
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Advertising Standards Authority rules Lexus adverts 'misled consumers'
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that magazine advertisements for the Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV misled consumers because they implied that the car's emissions were low compared with all other cars, not only other sports utility vehicles.
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Reports & Studies
UN report calls for caution on biofuels
The United Nations has issued a report urging governments to take a cautious approach to developing biofuels. It says negative impacts could outweigh benefits if production is not managed sustainably. Meanwhile, the Co-operative Insurance Society has also urged firms to consider the long-term sustainability issues before rushing into biofuels production.
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Technology News
Breakthrough in storage could be big boost for hydrogen cars
A new breakthrough in storage technology could remove a key barrier to the adoption of cars running on hydrogen. UK scientists have developed a compound of the element lithium which may make it practical to store enough hydrogen on-board fuel-cell-powered cars to enable them to drive over 300 miles before refuelling.
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Events
LowCVP and Energy Institute host debate on prospects of emissions trading for road transport
Extending emissions trading to the road transport sector was the topic at the Energy Institute on May 1st in an event organised by the LowCVP and hosted by the Institute. The event was the first time the prospects for the inclusion of road transport in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) have been debated in detail in a public forum.
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Other News
Mayor gives go-ahead for London Low Emission Zone
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has announced that London’s Low Emission Zone will come into force on 4th February 2008. Trucks, including specialist vehicles over 12 tonnes, will need to meet Euro 3-based emission standards whilst commercial vehicles, motorhomes and other specialist vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will need to observe the LEZ from 7 July 2008.
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Manchester City Council gives go-ahead for Green Badge parking scheme
Manchester City Council has given the go ahead to plans to introduce a Green Badge Parking scheme under which commuters who use low emission vehicles will benefit from lower cost parking. The Green Badge Parking permit proposal from Manchester Knowledge Capital was one of the winning entries to last year's LowCVP 'Challenge' and was announced at the Partnership's annual conference.
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Women show greater concern about car running costs than emissions, but gap may be closing - survey
Lower vehicle emissions are still of lesser concern than motoring costs in the decision making process of female car buyers, according to research commissioned on women and motoring from Ipsos MORI by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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