Policy Developments

Edinburgh to introduce CO2-based parking permits

A new residents’ parking permits scheme aimed at rewarding environmentally friendly car usage has been approved by Edinburgh City Council. Under the new scheme, parking permit charges will be graded according to vehicle size and CO2 emissions levels.

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New figures confirm UK Govt to miss 2010 manifesto target

The Guardian newspaper has reported that the latest data on greenhouse gas emissions levels, released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), shows a reduction of 8.5% since the baseline year of 1990, falling signficantly short of of the Labour party's imanifesto pledge of 20% by 2010.

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£27m bioenergy research centre launched in the UK

The Sustainable Bioenergy Centre was launched by UK science minister, Lord Drayson at the end of January. Hosted by the Biotechnology and Biologial Sciences Research Council, the £27m institute has been tasked with developing economically competitive and environmentally sound alternatives to fossil fuels. The Centre will research and develop fuels based on non-food crops, such as willow, industrial and agricultural waste products and inedible parts of crops, such as straw.

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Conservatives outline 'soft measures' for transport CO2 reduction

At an event hosted by The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) the Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary, Theresa Villiers, outlined the Tory party's plans for cutting carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector through "soft measures".

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Reports & Studies

Automotive industry 'green' audit published

A new report by Susan Brown entitled "Vehicle manufacturers in the race for environmental success: 2008/09 Automotive industry green audit" has been released. The report mainly deals with issues of climate change and fossil fuel access following peak oil. It also examines manufacturers’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their products and operations. The report looks at GHG emissions that manufacturers have control or influence over, whether they are produced from manufacturing operations, by dealers or from the vehicles themselves. The 12 largest vehicle manufacturer groups are covered and the focus rests principally on passenger cars.

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Technology News

Valeo and Michelin team up to develop hybrid systems

Automotive-components supplier Valeo and tyre manufacturer Michelin have announced a collaboration for the development of systems for all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. A letter of intent has been signed by both companies to coordinate product development.

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VW and Toshiba collaborate on EV system; Ford and Smith EVs join forces on the Transit Connect

VW and Toshiba have signed a letter of intent to develop electric car drive systems and the accompanying power electronics. These electric drive systems will be used in battery-powered versions of VW's new small family cars.

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Industry News

Mazda3 i-stop to be launched at Geneva show

Mazda has released details of two Mazda3 variants which will unveiled at the the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show The Mazda3 i-stop features Mazda's new stop-start technology and is coupled with the MZR 2.0 DISI, a direct injection engine producing 150bhp. Together the two technologies create a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Mazda3 over the previous 2.0 litre version. The new Mazda3 MPS, with improved fuel economy and emissions that meet Euro 5 standards, will also be featured at the show.

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Fleet sector emissions continue to fall

Two separate studies have reported significant emissions reduction for now cars by UK fleets.

Fleet World magazine has reported that new data from ALD Automotive has shown an average CO2 level of 150.6g/km in 2008 down from 2007 (155 g/km). The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), who operate a combined fleet of nearly two million cars reported average CO2 emissions from fleet vehicles fell to 149.9g/km, from an average of 157.4g/km in 2007.

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SMMT launches van buyers' guide

SMMT has published a quick guide to assist van buyers in selecting a van which is fit for their purpose. The guide, launched at SMMT's Forbes House headquarters, together with a display of low carbon vans, is intended as a complement to the forthcoming van CO2 and fuel consumption database. This is expected to be launched by the Vehicle Certification Agency by the end of April 2009.

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LowCVP News

LowCVP launches internet portal to assist SMEs to engage with investors

As part of the Partnership's drive to support small and medium sized businesses, it has launched a new microsite to help SMEs to engage with investors. The site provides an introduction to the automotive sector, the stages of business development and associated types of finance as well as links to a number of potential finance providers.

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International Developments

Obama grants California authority to tighten emissions standards

US President Barack Obama has signed a directive to grant California a waiver to set strict vehicle emissions standards from cars and light trucks at the end of January . California has been pushing since 2002 for the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s permission to enforce a law that would require automakers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles by 30 percent by 2016. Under the Clean Air Act, California is the only state that can enforce its own standards but only with an EPA waiver. Granting the waiver for California should affect nearly half the U.S. auto market according to the Washington Post. Thirteen other states have already adopted California’s proposal, while at least four others have pledged to do so if the EPA granted the waiver.

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International uptake of EVs on the rise

The drive to an electric future continues to gather pace with announcements from across the sector directed towards implementing electric vehicles. Companies ranging from Kia and Tata to prestigious designers Pininfarina have all recently showcased electric car offerings as have several motorcycle manufacturers. Additionally, companies such a Piaggio and Porsche have recently announced a hybrid vehicle, a strategic stepping stone to electric vehicles, and a platform for developing EV drivetrains.

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T&E study: HGVs cause disproportionate damage

A European Federation for Transport and Evironment (T&E) commissioned study by Dutch consultants CE Delft has concluded that heavy good vehicles contribute disproportionate environmental and safety damage than road share used. The study is published as the European Commission discusses draft proposals, submitted last July, to revise the Eurovignette Directive. Under current legislation, EU governments cannot charge road hauliers more than the cost of road infrastructure upkeep. Heavy commercial vehicles represent 3% of total road vehicles and 7% of total vehicle kilometres. However, the report by CE Delft shows the trucks are responsible for 20% of the congestion, twice the number of road deaths per kilometre than passenger cars, and that their carbon dioxide emissions will increase by 54% by 2030.

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Climate Change News

Global Warming 'worse than feared', says climate scientist

The impact of global warming will be much worse than previously forecast by the IPCC, a climate scientist and member of the IPCC expert panel has claimed. Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Chicago, Professor Chris Field said greenhouse gases increased far more rapidly than expected between 2000 and 2007; “We are basically looking now at a future climate that is beyond anything that we’ve considered seriously in climate policy.”

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Other News

Vacancy at T&E - Programme Manager - Clean Freight

T&E is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and results-driven team member to lead their work on sustainable freight transport. The position requires the ability to understand complex economic, scientific and political issues combined with strategic thinking, political-savvy and highly-developed networking, advocacy and communications skills.

Please see the adjacent web link for further information.

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Axon receives £2.5m funding for city car

Axon Automotive has received a £2 million grant from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) in order to help the company develop green technology for car fleets. Together with further cash from Cambridgshire-based technology development and incubation company, The Technology Partnership (TTP), Axon hopes to produce a lightweight city car capable running 100-miles-per-gallon.

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Falling price of carbon may threaten investment in the energy sector

Experts are predicting that the price of carbon could fall as low as €9 as global recession, reduced manufacturing output, and the consequential reduction in consumption of fossil fuels, reduces need for carbon emissions permits. The price of carbon has so far fallen by nearly 70 per cent since reaching a high of €32.90 in April 2006 to a new low of €10.81 at the end of January 2009.

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Events

LowCVP Annual Conference 2009
8th Jun 2009

LowCVP conference has been postponed and will now take place on Monday, 8 June. Full joining details and conference agenda to follow.

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Autolink 2009 - Automotive Opportunities Event
28th Apr 2009

Autolink 2009 will be the sixth year that the UK’s premier automotive collaboration event will have been held. 2009 will be a particularly significant year because of the current pressures and threats to the automotive industry. Delegate admission is therefore free this year.

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World Biofuels Markets Congress, 16-18 March, 2009
16th Mar 2009

The World Biofuels Market Congress, which takes place from 16-18 March, 2009, in Brussels is a leading international event for commercial and other stakeholders in the biofuels industry.

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EIC Conference - The Carbon Reduction Commitment: Implications for Business
30th Apr 2009

The Environmental Industries Commission in association with the Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Environment Agency is holding an event aimed at the high level examination of the implications of this major new policy which will regulate carbon emissions from 1000s of organisations. Keynote speaker: Joan Ruddock MP, Minister for Climate Change

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The Greener Company Car in Action
16th Jun 2009

Previously known as Company Car in Action this year the event is now called 'The Greener Company Car in Action' and will focus on helping the fleet industry drive down costs and emissions. Visitors will still be able to drive the full model range of manufacturers which are attending the show, with an emphasis on lower emission vehicles in each segment, particularly models producing 160g/km or less.

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