Policy Developments

European Council debates cars and CO2- focus on burden sharing between large and small car makers

The European Council's debate on 3 March was national environment ministers' first opportunity to hold a significant debate on the Commission's CO2 proposals for 2012. The debate was dominated by disagreement over burden sharing between the makers of large cars (mainly German) and smaller cars (mainly France and Italy). Several states backed the inclusion of a medium-term emissions target for 2020.

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Mayor rejects Porsche demands to scrap £25 Congestion Charge for highest carbon cars

Ken Livingstone has rejected demands by Porsche to scrap plans for a higher £25 Congestion Charge for the highest CO2-emitting cars. Porsche had written to the London Mayor demanding that he scrap plans for the higher charge and otherwise threatening legal action.

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Budget 2008: Chancellor increases VED differentials, scraps biofuels duty benefit

The Chancellor has announced a phased increase in Vehicle Excise Duty, rising to £950 in the first year for the highest carbon cars purchased in 2010. Alistair Darling's first Budget also announces an increase in the number of VED bands, from 7 to 13. Other measures include the removal of the duty differential in favour of biofuels and a delay in the planned petrol/diesel duty increase.

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Dutch agency and leading UK scientist call for reconsideration of biofuels targets

The Dutch environmental assessment agency, MNP, has called on the EU to reconsider the target to increase the share of biofuels in transport fuels by 10 per cent by 2020. Meanwhile, the UK Government's top environment scientist has also called for a delay in the Government's biofuels programme.

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Climate Change News

Huge Antarctic ice shelf close to collapse say scientists

An ice shelf the size of Northern Ireland is starting to collapse in Antarctica according to scientists from the British Antarctic Survey giving evidence of more rapid climate change. The Wilkins ice sheet, one of the largest on the Antarctic Peninsula is 'hanging by a thread' say scientists.

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Reports & Studies

EEA: "Transport sector must raise its game if EU is to meet CO2 targets"

The European Environment Agency says that if the EU is to meet its future overall greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2020 then the transport sector must 'raise its game' and improve its environmental performance. The EEA says that if transport sector emissions had been reduced by the average overall level, total emissions during the period 1990–2005 would have fallen by 14% instead of the 7.9% recorded.

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ippr study says that penalties for non-compliance with EU regs should exceed compliance costs

A new study on cars and CO2 by the Institute of Public Policy Research suggests that the European Commission should ensure that the fines imposed on car makers for non-compliance with CO2 regulations should exceed the costs the industry says it will incur in complying with them.

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Alliance against urban 4X4s says most car advertisements 'are illegal'

The Alliance against Urban 4x4s has written to the Transport Secretary asking her to act urgently to correct an error in guidance given to car dealers and manufacturers about the display of CO2 information on car advertisements. Meanwhile, a researcher in Belgium has reached similar conclusions. Also in the UK, more car companies have been criticised by the UK's advertising regulator for making unjustified environmental claims in their adverts.

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Average UK new car CO2 emissions fell 1.4% in 2007

Emissions of carbon dioxide from new cars sold in the UK fell by 1.4% on average in 2007, compared with 2006. Publishing its seventh annual new car CO2 report, the SMMT said that average emissions have fallen by 13% since 1997. The motor manufacturers trade body also said that total CO2 emissions from new cars have fallen nearly 5% over the same period.

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Consultations

DfT consults on bus subsidies - seeks to improve incentives for environmental progress

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to consult on options to reform the current arrangements for bus subsidies with particular emphasis on the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG). The current operation of BSOG has been seen to be a barrier to the achievement of emissions improvements from the bus sector.

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European Commission consults on additional elements contributing to 2012 car CO2 targets

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on specific elements of the 'integrated approach' which is intended to deliver 10g/km of the 130g/km proposed new car CO2 regulation for 2012. Evidence and opinions are sought on the potential contributions of gear-shift indicators and the reduction of energy use by in-car air-conditioning systems.

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DfT announces terms of reference for biofuels review

The Department for Transport has issued the terms of reference for the review of the indirect impacts of biofuels which was recently announced by the Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly. The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) will be leading the review, due to be presented to the Transport and Environment Secretaries by 27 June.

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LowCVP News

The LowCVP begins work to develop car advertising code of conduct

The LowCVP is laying the foundations for work on the development of a best practice guide to car advertising and marketing in conjunction with the SMMT and ISBA, the representative body for advertisers. The UK initiative has been prompted both by the European Commission's call for car manufacturers to develop a voluntary advertising code and by proposals from UK environment groups.

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US researcher brings biofuels life-cycle findings to UK

Imperial College and the LowCVP have co-hosted a lecture by Professor Tim Searchinger who presented the findings of a Princeton University study into the life-cycle impacts of biofuels. The study, recently published in the journal 'Science' , says that almost all biofuels used today are causing more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels when a full impact life-cycle is considered.

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Industry News

BP reported to be considering sale of renewable power operations

Press reports say that BP is considering floating or selling all or a part of its renewable power operations, believed to be worth up to $7bn (£3.5bn). In a strategy briefing to City analysts, BP's Chief Executive Tony Hayward said he planned to review the position of BP Alternative Energy which had been nurtured by his predecessor Lord Browne.

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Car makers in a hurry to install lithium-ion batteries

General Motors has announced plans to begin using lithium-ion batteries in its next-generation hybrid system, due to be launched in 2010 in North America. The car maker says the li-ion batteries will make its next generation of hybrid vehicles three times more powerful than its current ones and, on their own, could improve fuel economy by up to two miles per gallon.

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Smaller cars feature prominently in Geneva

A greater number of smaller, lower carbon vehicles were on show in Geneva as the industry reacts to the raised concern over CO2 emissions and anticipated legislation from Europe.

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Th!nk electric car to go on sale in UK; BMW, Nissan developing EVs

The makers of the Th!nk city electric car have announced that sales will begin in the UK before the end of 2008. The announcement of the re-launch of the Th!nk city was made at the Geneva Motor Show. Meanwhile, both Nissan and BMW are recently reported to be developing electric models.

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Tata buys Jaguar and Landrover from Ford

The Ford Motor Company has agreed to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover businesses to Tata Motors of India. Tata is reported to be paying $2.3bn in cash for the two brands in a deal that Ford say should be completed by the summer.

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Other News

IMechE proposes transport tickets be branded with carbon footprint

Tickets for travelling on planes, trains and buses should have information about the carbon impacts of the journeys being made, according to a report by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The Institute says that branding tickets to provide carbon footprint information could help to make a carbon-excessive lifestyle "as socially unacceptable as drink-driving".

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Richmond Council to run fleet on cooking oil

Richmond-upon-Thames in Surrey has announced plans to run its 200-strong mixed van and truck fleet on recycled cooking oil by the summer of 2007. Richmond says it will be the first local authority to run its entire fleet on the fuel.

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More drivers intend to buy cleaner cars - survey

Research published by car insurance company esure suggests that UK drivers may be changing their attitudes towards 'greener' motoring. In esure's poll of over 1000 motorists, nearly half (42 per cent) said that they would buy a more environmentally-friendly vehicle when next renewing their car.

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Carbon Trust issues £5m 'second generation' biofuel challenge

The Carbon Trust is calling for expressions of interest from potential partners within the scientific community to collaborate in the development of a world-class commercially viable pyrolysis oil upgrading process. The Carbon Trust says it will potentially invest £5m to one or more commercially-focussed research projects in this area of advanced biofuels over the next 3-5 years.

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'Greener Driving Pavilion' at London Motor Show

This year's Motor Show - to be held at ExCel in London's Docklands from July 23rd this year - is set to feature an exhibition of 'greener' driving for the first time. The LowCVP is represented on the 'curatorial committee' for the exhibition, which also includes representatives from the SMMT, DfT's 'Act on CO2', WhatCar? and Michelin.

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Ministers disregard Government CO2 targets to keep 'gas-guzzlers'

Most ministers are still using high emission vehicles for official business despite pressure on them to switch to lower carbon options. Official figures revealed that 13 of the 20 cars used by cabinet ministers are in the second-highest car tax band and one car is in the top band, with emissions of more than 185g of CO2/km. Overall, 30 of the 85 cars in the Government's ministerial fleet are in band F, according to the Department for Transport.

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Events

LowCVP Conference 2008
23rd Jul 2008

The LowCVP annual conference will take place alongside the London Motor Show at ExCel, London on 23rd July. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly will give the keynote address and delegates will also have the opportunity to learn the outcomes of the critical 'Gallagher Review’ of biofuels policy and the Government’s response to the King Review of low carbon cars.

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