Policy Developments

Government proposes RTFO delay following Gallagher Report publication

The Government has announced proposals to slow down the rate of introduction of biofuels through the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO). The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, said that she intends to consult on the proposal to delay the introduction of the requirement for biofuels to comprise 5% of road transport fuel from 2010/11 to 2013/14. The Government's announcement follows the publication of the 'Gallagher Review' by the Renewable Fuels Agency which expresses concern about the impacts of biofuels growth and advocates a slowdown in the rate of their introduction.

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Mayor scraps emissions-based Congestion Charge plans

Boris Johnson, the new Mayor of London, has scrapped plans for CO2 emissions-based Congestion Charging in Central London. The decision overturns plans introduced by Johnson's predecessor, Ken Livingstone, to introduce a sliding scale of charges (from zero to £25) based on a car's CO2 performance. The move ends Porsche's legal battle with Transport for London over the proposed £25 charge for 'Band G' vehicles.

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Government scraps planned fuel duty rise

The Chancellor has announced a further delay in the introduction of a planned 2p rise in fuel duty in response to pressure resulting from recent food and fuel price rises. Mr Darling had announced the 2p/litre rise in his April 2008 Budget but said that he would defer it until October. A slightly smaller fuel duty rise is now pencilled in for next April's Budget.

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PM aims to boost 'greener' motoring with low carbon initiatives; Mayor announces electric initiative in London

Visiting the British Motor Show, the Prime Minister has set out plans to encourage the shift to low carbon and electric cars in the UK. Mr Brown reiterated that the Government plans to make £90m available for UK research, development and demonstration of low carbon vehicles over the next five years. In a separate development, the Mayor of London has announced plans to provide another 100 electric charging points across the city and to create a London-based Electric Vehicle Partnership.

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Prof Julia King appointed to Committee on Climate Change

Professor Julia King has been appointed to the Committee on Climate Change. The Committee has been established under the Climate Change Bill, currently before Parliament, to provide independent, expert advice on how the UK can best meet its Climate Change goals.

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Consultations

UK Government launches consultation on EU 'Cars and CO2' proposals

The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has launched a consultation on European measures to introduce compulsory carbon targets for new cars. The series of papers, published on the Department for Transport website, set out the Government's views on the proposed EU regulation on new car CO2 emissions.

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Reports & Studies

Carmakers criticised for failure to release data on key environmental performance indicators

A study of vehicle manufacturers' annual reports by the campaign group Germanwatch says that data on key environmental performance indicators, including fuel consumption, is not being made fully available. The report's authors are critical of the manufacturers lack of transparency, indicating that this leads to difficulties for investors in assessing risks and opportunities posed by climate change.

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Buying 'greener' could save car buyers £375 in fuel alone - EST report

Buying the 'greenest' vehicle in its class could save the average motorist up to £375 a year in fuel costs alone according to a new report by the Energy Saving Trust. The report says, however, that 74% of UK drivers are not aware of their car's carbon dioxide emissions.

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New study finds public highly concerned about climate change; want Government to take lead

The Department for Transport has published new research by the University of the West of England (UWE) on public attitudes to transport. The study finds that a large majority of the population is aware of and concerned about climate change and judges this to be an important area for Government action in the context of transport.

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OECD criticises biofuels policy; calls for more emphasis on cutting fuel consumption

A new report by the OECD says that Government support of biofuel production in OECD countries is costly, has a limited impact on reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy security, and has a significant impact on world crop prices.

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LowCVP News

Two staff vacancies in the LowCVP Secretariat

The LowCVP is looking to recruit two staff to join the Secretariat as:

• Programme Manager Low Carbon Vehicles and Fuels
• Stakeholder Relations Manager – Act on CO2 Campaign.

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LowCVP News: Environment label now displayed on over 80% of new cars

The vast majority of car dealerships are now displaying the colour-coded fuel economy label which was introduced in a voluntary initiative, brokered by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, in 2005. In a large-scale ‘mystery shopper’ survey, 82% of new cars on display were found to be correctly labelled (65% in 2007) and the label was being used in 91% of car dealerships (86% in 2007).

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LowCVP News: Advertising spending on fuel efficient cars doubled in 2007

The motor industry has shifted advertising spending towards more fuel efficient cars according to a survey carried out on behalf of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP).

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Technology News

Motor Show sees launch of high performance electric sports car

A British specialist car maker, the Lightning Car Company, has launched a lightweight electric sports car which can go from 0-60mph in four seconds, travel up to 130mph and which has range of 250 miles. The new Lightning GT electric sports car features regenerative braking and a power distributing wheel management system which improves efficiency.

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British company launches home refuelling kit for hydrogen

A British company has introduced a hydrogen filling station designed for installation in the home. ITM Power's 'green box' is claimed to be able to generate hydrogen for a fraction of the cost of other methods of hydrogen production.

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Leading chemicals company announces plans to make bioethanol from waste

A British chemicals company has announced plans to produce commercial quantities of bioethanol from waste within the next two years. INEOS says the fuel, from biodegradable municipal waste, can be produced in large quantities using new technology.

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Industry News

DfT announces first phase of £20m programme to procure low carbon vans

The Department for Transport has issued a procurement notice for the supply of 150-200 low carbon and all-electric vans in the first phase of procurements under the £20m Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme, which is managed by Cenex on behalf of the Department.

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Average new car emissions fell sharply so far in 2008

Average CO2 emissions from new cars sold in the UK fell by 3.64% in the second quarter of 2008 according to the SMMT. Meanwhile, sales of higher carbon cars fell sharply in the first half. According to research by Clean Green Cars, every manufacturer with average new car emissions significantly above 200g/km saw its sales slump from January to June.

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Low carbon a high priority at British Motor Show

The prospects for the wider introduction for electric and hybrid cars appear to have been given a boost by the London Motor Show which opened at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands on 23 July. The show features, for the first time, a 'Greener Driving Pavilion' and an 'Electric Vehicle Village'. Environmental themes are present on most stands and the colour-coded fuel economy label is prominently displayed across the Show.

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International Developments

California to mandate big increases in fuel efficiency for cars

California's Air Resources Board (CARB) is to mandate dramatic increases in car fuel efficiency, cleaner fuels and renewable power in the most ambitious effort yet in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Board has also introduced rules to enforce the display of 'global warming stickers' next to all car number plates.

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Other News

Rushlight Awards 2008 to highlight environmental technology and innovation - call for entries

The Rushlight Awards aim to celebrate the notable achievements of UK and Irish organisations who are working to develop technology and innovations in renewable energy, clean fuels, power generation, water, waste and pollution management.

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