 Policy Developments
EU emissions target 'must be differentiated between car makers' - Industry Commissioner
The EU's Industry Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen, has said that the proposed 130g/km limit on CO2 emissions for new cars must be differentiated between car manufacturers. However, he said, the makers of the largest cars will have to achieve the greatest progress.
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Transport for London proposes to raise congestion charges for high carbon vehicles
Transport for London has launched a public consultation on proposals to charge cars with the highest greenhouse gas emissions £25 a day to drive in the present central London Congestion Charging Zone. 100 per cent discounts for the cars with the lowest emissions are also proposed.
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Commission report says 10% biofuels share can be achieved sustainably
The proposal to achieve the EU's 10% target for biofuels by 2020 could be achieved sustainably and without greatly affecting food markets or prices, according to a new report by the EC's agriculture department. However the findings are disputed by the German advisory council on the environment (SRU).
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UK and France to propose EU-wide tax cuts for greener products
Gordon Brown and the new French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, have announced that the UK and France will be proposing EU-wide reduced value-added tax (VAT) rates for greener products to help tackle climate change. The leaders said that taxes should be lowered on products ranging from cars to white goods.
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Government scraps tax on first 2,500 Litres of biodiesel
New Government regulations will allow small scale producers of biofuel (below 2,500 litres) not to pay duty on the fuel they produce.
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Reports & Studies
IEEP report prescribes policy to tackle threats of climate change and obesity
A new report highlights the role of car use in the twin crises of rising obesity and increasing carbon dioxide emissions. It says that encouraging people to walk short journeys now made by car could produce significant gains against both problems.
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US study says stronger fuel economy standards would benefit economy
A US study published by the Union of Concerned Scientists says that higher fuel efficiency would create more than 240,000 jobs by 2020, cut oil use by 1.6 million barrels, reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by 260 million tonnes and mostly benefit US consumers.
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No correlation between carbon use and happiness - NEF report
A new report from the 'think tank' the New Economics Foundation concludes that there is no direct correlation between the size of your carbon footprint and either happiness or long life.
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WWF: Europe must lead on a global bioenergy certification system
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) believes that a global approach is needed for bioenergy certification, but considers that a harmonised certification system for Europe could be a critical step towards making this happen. WWF has commissioned a report, by consultancy firm Ecofys, to prepare a proposal for a “Harmonised Biomass Certification Scheme”.
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Consultations
Environmental Audit Committee announces inquiries into biofuels and eco-labelling
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has announced an inquiry into biofuels and the role that they might play in addressing the issues of fuel security and climate change. The Committee is also inviting comments to help a new inquiry into environmental labelling.
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Industry News
ASA upholds complaint against advert for Citroen 'ultra low' emissions car
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against a national press advertisement for a Citroen C5 VTX which claimed it produced "ultra low 142g CO2/km". The ASA ruled that the advert should not appear again in its current form.
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Latest research shows decline in popularity of 4x4s
The demand for second-hand 4x4s is slowing down and rates of depreciation have been the heaviest of any sector in the past two years according to research from CAP Black Book.
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National Express pulls out of biofuels trial citing environment doubts
The leading bus operator, National Express, has suspended a biodiesel trial after consultations with environment groups. The company said it had doubts over whether the trial was doing more good than harm to the environment.
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3,000 London black cabs to switch to 30% biofuels blend
Radio Taxis Group Ltd, London's biggest black cab company operating a fleet of 3,000 cabs across the city, has announced that it will run its vehicles on a 30% biodiesel blend. The company has also committed to making its operation 'carbon neutral' by buying offsets.
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Toyota and Ford announce plans to produce 'plug-in' hybrid cars
Toyota has become the first leading car maker to produce a commercially viable 'plug-in' hybrid car. Toyota said it has received approval to test drive the prototype version of the Prius petrol-electric hybrid model on Japanese roads.
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'Green' messages becoming more prominent in European car advertising
The growth in environmental awareness and policy shifts in Europe are promoting a greater emphasis on greener, low CO2 messages in car advertising according to the Wall Street Journal.
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Mercedes and BMW reveal plans to bolster green credentials
Mercedes-Benz plans to utilise 'stop-start' technology across its range of vehicles, initially rolling it out on the A- and B-class cars from September. The technology works by shutting down the engine when the car stops. Meanwhile, BMW is also reported to be reviewing its strategy in terms of CO2 emissions.
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BP, ABF and DuPont to invest in $400m bioethanol plant
BP, Associated British Foods (ABF) and DuPont have announced plans to construct a bioethanol and high technology demonstration plant to work on the development of the next generation of biofuels. The $400m bioethanol plant will be built on BP's existing chemicals site at Saltend, Hull.
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McDonalds to run trucks on biodiesel from used cooking oil
McDonald's Corporation has announced that it is to convert its British delivery fleet to run on biodiesel made largely from its own recycled cooking oil.
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Mazda pursues lightweight strategy; Porsche looks to hybrids
Mazda is reported to be pursuing a strategy to cut vehicle weight in order to reduce CO2 emissions while Porsche is looking to launch its first hybrid vehicle within three years.
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LowCVP News
LowCVP Conference summary and feedback
The LowCVP annual conference - held on June 28 at the DTI Conference Centre, Westminster - featured the announcement of the winners of the LowCVP's Cars NOT Carbon competition and also reported the results of a new survey of stakeholder attitudes relating to the low carbon transport agenda.
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Annual Conference presentations now available on LowCVP website
Presentations given at the June 28 LowCVP Annual Conference are now downloadable from the LowCVP website. In addition a short video of the biofuels debate, which took place during the afternoon of the conference, is now viewable on-line. Visitors to the LowCVP website can also see the winning entries to the Cars NOT Carbon 'greener motoring marketing' competition.
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Expert survey shows over 90% want CO2 target for road transport
(LowCVP Press Release)The first LowCVP survey of the opinions of the road transport/environment experts - representatives of the LowCVP's 250+ member organisations - shows that over 90% would like to see the Government introduce a sector-specific target for road transport.
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The LowCVP announces winners of ‘Cars NOT Carbon’ Marketing Challenge
(LowCVP Press release)The climax of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership’s Cars NOT Carbon ‘greener motoring marketing’ competition came to the DTI Conference Centre, Westminster on 28 June. Agency and student winners presented their innovative marketing and advertising campaigns to a large audience of automotive and fuel industry delegates, Government representatives and other LowCVP stakeholders. Delegates were also able to visit an exhibition of the winning work.
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LowCVP to hold party conference fringe meetings on biofuels and sustainability
The LowCVP is to hold a fringe meeting at each of the three autumn party conferences on the subject "Biofuels; more good than harm?". The events will take place on the Tuesday evening (7.30pm) at each conference in the the 'Climate Clinic' venue which is dedicated to discussions about climate change.
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LowCVP - We've Moved!
The LowCVP Secretariat has moved offices.
The Low Carbon Vehicle Secretariat is now located at 1st Floor, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP. The new telephone number is 020 7304 7040.
General emails will continue to reach the Secretariat via: secretariat@lowcvp.org.uk
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International Developments
Spain/Italy move to CO2-based taxation and car CO2 limits
The Italian Green Party is seeking to institute a CO2 limit at a new national level of 120 g/km from new cars. The Greens are hoping to gain the backing of the full government within which they are a junior partner.
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Other News
'Greener' car display at Labour Party Conference, 23-26 Sept
The LowCVP is coordinating a display of 'greener' vehicles as a part of the Climate Clinic initiative at this year's Labour Party Conference. The display will take place throughout the conference (23-26 September) on a site adjacent to the Climate Clinic and directly opposite the BICC; the main conference centre.
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Consumers would pay a little extra for low pollution cars
A third of consumers polled in a European survey believe that there should be regulations to allow only less polluting cars while a further third favour tax breaks to promote more fuel efficient models. Most people surveyed said that they would be willing to pay more to use less polluting transport, though most of them would not be willing to pay more than ten per cent extra.
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Car Club membership 'booming'
Car club membership in the UK has increased rapidly in recent years to 23,000 according to data from four accredited car clubs - City Car Club, Streetcar, WhizzGo and Zipcar.
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GreenFleet 'Arrive 'n' drive' and Fuel Challenge showcases greenest vehicles
The GreenFleet Capital Arrive 'n' Drive event which took place on Thursday July 26 at the Guild Hall Yard, London allowed fleet managers and transport practitioners to get the "touch, taste, feel" experience of the greenest vehicles on the market today, as well as those likely to be available in the near future.
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Events
London's Transport Emissions Conference 2007
19th Sep 2007
London's Transport Emissions Conference 2007 - an event set up for fleet and environment officers of local authorities and public transport fleets - will be held at the GLA's City Hall on the banks of the Thames on 19th September 2007.
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SHIFT 2007: Sustainable High Innovation Fuels & Transport Conference, Oxford
19th Sep 2007
A new one-day Conference Expo on sustainable fuels and transport, organised by CIR Ltd and sponsored by SEEDA will take place on 19 September 2007 at the Said Business School, Oxford. The event is free to attend for LowCVP members and associates.
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IMechE Biofuels for Future Transport & Mobility
20th Sep 2007
An event examining the business case drivers, investment decisions and key subject areas surrounding the choices and technologies related to biofuels for future transport and mobility.
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The GovNet 4th Annual Transport Conference
19th Sep 2007
This conference is intended to provide transport practitioners from central and local government and the wider public transport sector with an opportunity to come together to share their knowledge and experiences and to examine new and emerging practice within the sector.
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Bus 2007
18th Sep 2007
IMechE has organised this one-day conference, to be held in London, to examine recent developments in the bus industry and analyse future trends in manufacture, safety, technology and low-carbon buses.
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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 >
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