Reports & Studies

Greenpeace: '10 easy steps to cut car emissions by 2012'

Greenpeace has published a 'Climate Control Manual' which it says is a response to the proposed EU 'Cars and CO2' legislation. The manual proposes a range of practical steps that can be taken by manufacturers to cut CO2 emissions from the cars they produce.

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Survey shows more buyers want low emission cars

75% of car buyers plan to look for a vehicle with low CO2 emissions when making their next purchase according to a survey by the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) which polled the views of 2,665 people. Over 80% also said that fuel economy is more important to them than high performance.

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EU survey shows public support for CO2 reductions by car manufacturers

A survey, undertaken in five countries of the European Union, found that the majority of people believe measures should be introduced to force car manufacturers to reduce CO2 from cars to help combat climate change.

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Policy Developments

Mayor outlines climate change adaptation strategy for London

London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, has launched a new strategy which outlines how the capital will adapt to climate change. The Mayor said that climate change mitigation efforts must continue, but there is also a need to prepare for the effects climate change will have on the city. Meanwhile, the Mayor has appointed a new environmental policy adviser.

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European Parliament moves to simplify regulations on hydrogen vehicles

The European Parliament has supported Commission proposals aimed at simplifying regulation for hydrogen powered vehicles. EU Member States will have the final say but the Commission has already stressed its approval of the move.

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Government aims for a million 'green jobs' by 2030

The Government's new strategy for manufacturing sets out a vision for a globally competitive sector which consolidates on areas of existing comparative advantage and specialises in high technology processes. It aims for the UK to lead the World in manufacturing solutions for a low carbon economy and aims for at least a million jobs in the 'green economy' by 2030.

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Ruth Kelly to stand down as Transport Secretary

The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has announced that she is to leave the Government at the next cabinet reshuffle which is expected to take place in the next fortnight.

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MEPs vote to revise transport biofuels target

The European Parliament's Industry Committee has voted to amend the European Commission's target for renewable fuels to comprise 10% of all transport fuels by 2020. The Committee voted for a plan under which 40% of the biofuels target should come from alternatives to so-called 'first generation' biofuels.

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BERR announces membership of NAIGT expert groups

BERR has published full details of five expert groups comprising the new Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT). Membership of the NAIGT consists of senior figures from the automotive industry including individuals from vehicle manufacturing, the supply industry and academia.

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Industry News

Tesla to expand range of electric vehicles

The California-based manufacturer Tesla has announced plans to to expand its range of electric cars with the introduction of an all-electric saloon in 2010. According to Tesla, the Model S will be a five passenger, multi-use sport saloon with a driving range of approximately 225 miles on one charge using the lithium-ion battery and drive technology used in the Tesla Roadster.

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Honda Insight to be revamped and relaunched

Honda has revealed that it will revive the name of the first hybrid gasoline-electric car introduced in the United States, the Honda Insight. The new hybrid Honda Insight will go on sale in the US in April 2009 and is expected to sell for approximately US$19,000.

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4x4 sales tumble in after-market

Second-hand 4x4s and larger, premium vehicles have seen falling prices and sales over the last 6 months. Estimates for the first half of 2008 suggest that the average value of a used car bought at auction has fallen by more than £1,000.

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Toyota and EDF team up to trial new plug-in hybrid

EDF Energy and Toyota GB have announced they are collaborating in road trials of the UK's first 'plug-in' hybrid vehicle (PHV). The trials will involve EDF employees road-testing the cars over a year to evaluate their performance. Meanwhile, EDF Energy has installed the first of 40 charging posts in the UK, and part of the trial will also test an innovative charging and invoicing system.

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ASA upholds complaints against Lexus over climate claims

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ordered that press advertisements for the Lexus RX 400h were misleading and should not appear again. The Lexus advertisement stated that the vehicle was "Perfect for today's climate (and tomorrow's)...Driving the world's first luxury hybrid SUV makes environmental, and economic, sense." The Lexus RX 400h has CO2 emissions of 192g/km.

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LowCVP News

New appointment to the LowCVP Secretariat

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership has appointed Chris Brown as the Stakeholder Relations Manager to extend the reach of the Department for Transport’s ACT ON CO2 campaign.

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LowCVP triumphs in GreenFleet eco-driving challenge

Greg Archer and Jonathan Murray of the LowCVP have won the GreenFleet Capital Fuel Challenge for eco-driving, held as part of the GreenFleet Capital Arrive ’n Drive event in July.

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International Developments

US Government in $25bn plan to help car industry go greener

The US House of Representatives is set to approve proposals for a £25bn package to support the US car industry. Support is to come in the form of low interest loans, enabling US car companies to help reconfigure their manufacturing plants to help them meet new fuel efficiency standards and accelerate development of low carbon vehicles.

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Sweden to phase out popular low carbon car subsidy scheme

The Swedish Government has decided to phase out a €90m subsidy scheme to encourage private motorists to buy low carbon cars. The scheme has proven so popular that the Government has had to more than treble spending (from an original €27m) and is closing it next June, six months earlier than originally planned.

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Other News

Hertz launches UK city car club

Hertz, the leading vehicle rental agency is to add a city car club arm to its UK operations. The company intends to extend this approach to mainland Europe and the United States in the next few months. Another vehicle rental agency, Avis, closed down its own car club, Urbigo, two years ago after poor subscription to the service.

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'Smarter driving' techniques introduced into driving test

The Government has announced that learner drivers will be trained in 'eco-safe' driving techniques as a part of their driving test. Jim Fitzpatrick, the transport minister, said that an extra £3 million will be devoted to promoting 'smarter driving' techniques to help all motorists save on fuel costs. Advice will also be provided on purchasing more fuel efficient cars.

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Events

Innovation, Energy and the Environment
8th Oct 2008

Bringing together technology, innovation, investment and the public good is never easy but the environment and energy sectors seem to be especially bad at it. The reasons for this and some possible answers will be discussed by Dr Jack Frost, Director, Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells, together with some case studies and examples.

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Transport - A Journey to a Fairer Future
22nd Nov 2008

The conference will be examining the scale of the changes required to reduce our consumption of non-renewable carbon-intensive fuels, and will explore some of the factors preventing change – our desire for speed, convenience and independence.

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The Global Oil Paradox: Transforming the Automotive Industry
21st Oct 2008

LowCVP members can benefit from a 20% discount on delegate fees for an Automotive World Briefing event which will take place in Central London on 21 October. The briefing will look at the economic factors that surround the oil industry, peak oil production and the implications for the future of automotive production.

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Energy Efficiency Finance and Investment Forum
1st Dec 2008

LowCVP members can benefit from a 10% discount on delegate fees for the second Energy Efficiency Finance and Investment Forum which will take place in London on 1-2 December. The market for efficient technologies presents a large range of opportunities for companies and investors across many industries. The event will look into the evolution of the energy service companies, the financing of green buildings and microgeneration and aims to unite industry representatives with the finance and investment community.

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