Policy Developments

Record fuel prices spur hauliers and MPs to revolt on fuel and road taxes

As crude oil prices reached record highs of over $130 a barrel, lorry drivers mounted a protest calling on the Government to scrap planned fuel taxes while back-bench Labour MPs urged a re-think on planned increases in carbon-based road taxes.

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Total cost of motoring falls despite higher petrol costs

The total cost of motoring fell 4% from January 2005 to April 2008 in real terms despite a 21% rise in the cost of petrol and oil according to a Parliamentary Answer by the Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

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UK Government announces £90 million investment for vehicle innovation

The Government has announced that funding from the Technology Strategy Board of £23 million is to be made available for sixteen new projects to support cleaner vehicle developments. The Government intends to invest a further £70m through the Low Carbon Vehicles Integrated Delivery Programme from next autumn.

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New London Mayor announces senior transport appointments

Boris Johnson, the new London Mayor, has asked the Conservative former transport minister and erstwhile mayoral candidate Stephen Norris to join the boards of Transport for London (TfL) and the London Development Agency (LDA). The Mayor announced that he will initally chair the Board of TfL himself but will be replaced by Tim Parker, newly appointed first deputy Mayor, on September 1.

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Commission proposes regulations to improve energy efficiency from tyres

The European Commission has tabled draft legislation which proposes safety and environmental perfomance improvements including provisions to increase energy efficiency by mandating the introduction of low rolling resistance tyres by 2012.

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Presidency report suggests support for delay of Cars and CO2 target

A report prepared by the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union suggests growing governmental support for delaying the proposed 2012 deadline for reducing average new car CO2 emissions to 130g/km by three years. The European Parliament's lead rapporteur on cars and CO2, Guido Sacconi MEP, opposes any delay. Meanwhile, Germany and France are reported to be close to reaching a 'deal' in bilateral talks about the European regulation.

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Climate Change News

CO2 levels reach record high

New figures, published by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has reached record levels. Data compiled at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii shows that CO2 levels in the atmosphere have reached 387 parts per million (ppm), a rise of 40% since the industrial revolution and the highest seen in 650,000 years.

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Reports & Studies

Government argues against EAC calls for moratorium on biofuels targets

In its response to the Environmental Audit Committee's report on biofuels, the Government argues against the case for a moratorium on biofuels targets.

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Industry News

Nissan announces moves to market electric vehicles and produce lithium-ion batteries

Nissan says it plans to market electric vehicles in the US and Japan by 2010, along with its own hybrids, and to mass-market EVs worldwide by 2012. The company's marketing plans were announced alongside the news that Nissan will invest £115m over three years to mass produce lithium-ion batteries for its cars.

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Europe's oil companies join forces to promote 'smarter driving'

Europe's leading oil companies have joined forces with the European Commission in a campaign to promote more efficient driving. Over forty oil companies, under the auspices of their European Association EUROPIA, have launched the initiative in 29 countries and involving over 45,000 petrol stations.

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International Developments

France pushes ahead with carbon cutting legislation plans

France is pushing ahead with legislation to improve the country's carbon efficiency. Amongst the proposals is a draft law, known as 'Grenelle 1' which covers a range of measures including plans to reduce average CO2 emissions from all cars in circulation in France to 130g/km by 2020. Meanwhile, Germany's car makers are claiming that they have recently made the most rapid cuts in new vehicle emissions.

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Germany announces more funds to encourage shift to cleaner trucks

The German Government has announced a further €85m to add to a €100m support fund which is designed to encourage emissions reductions from the heavy goods sector.

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Other News

New head of RAC Foundation expected to call for road building strategy

Stephen Glaister has been named as the successor to Edmund King as head of the RAC Foundation. Prof Glaister, who will take up his new post on October 1st after resigning his full-time position at Imperial College, says he will urge the Government to focus on the importance of roads to the economy.

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DfT unveils sustainable transport research priorities for 2008-9

The Department for transport has announced its funding priorities for 2008-9 to support sustainable transport research. Funded research will cover public attitudes to climate change, new approaches to transport appraisal and competitiveness impacts.

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Defra reveals spending on biofuels research

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has spent between £1m and £2m a year on biofuels research since 2006, including about £900,000 a year in the last two years on research into genetic improvement and selection of biomass crops such as willow and miscanthus. Defra says the aim has been to underpin R&D efforts for both 'second generation' biofuels and solid biomass for energy. The Department has also supported industry research efforts.

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The LowCVP Secretariat has moved (again)!

On Thursday, 29 May 2008 the LowCVP Secretariat moved to new offices. The new address and phone number are: 83 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HW. Tel: +44 (0)20 3178 7859Tel: +44 (0)20 3178 7859

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The Energy Saving Trust invites nominations for its 'Fleet Hero' Awards 2008

The third annual Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards were launched at the end of March in partnership with Guardian, The Observer and Fleet News. The awards will recognise best practice in green fleet management and take place at the London Transport Museum on Tuesday, 14 October.

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Events

Eden Project's Sexy Green Car Show
31st May 2008

The Eden Project is holding its second 'Sexy Green Car Show' from May 23-31 and will be exhibiting cars from most of the major manufacturers, in addition to innovative offerings from smaller car makers.

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'Greener Driving Pavilion' to be unveiled at the London Motor Show

This year's London Motor Show will be the first to include a dedicated, environmentally-themed exhibition showcasing the latest carbon-cutting innovations and other 'greener' travel options. The 'Greener Driving Pavilion', which is being set up in association with the Government's 'ACT ON CO2' initiative and supported by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, What Car? and Michelin, will form a part of the Motor Show which begins at London's ExCel arena on July 22nd.

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Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008 Alternative Motor Show
12th Jun 2008

Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008, which is set to be the UK’s largest Green Motor Show, will feature a range of the latest energy-efficient vehicles which the organisers say can help motorists and fleet operators save money on running costs. The event provides an opportunity for people to see class-leading low emission vehicles 'in the metal', all in one place.

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Sustainable Fuel - Developing The Algae Opportunity
17th Jun 2008

This one day seminar, organised by Envirobusiness and supported by the LowCVP, will focus on the use of algae as a sustainable fuel. The event will bring together:

- Research expertise in the fields of biology, processing and combustion
- SMEs developing and deploying products, for cultivating algae through to oil extraction
- Corporates seeking to engage and develop supply chains for sustainable fuel
- Funding and support organisations
- Major networking organisations with specific expertise across the 'tank to tank' supply chain

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