Reports & Studies

DfT publishes report on carbon saving options for Heavy Goods Vehicles

The Department for Transport has published a report, prepared by Ricardo, on the carbon saving potential of various technologies applicable to the HGV sector. The report was published on the same day as the Government's Plan for the Low Carbon Transition and the related transport strategy: 'A Greener Future for Transport'.

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New Climate Group Report: Breaking the Climate Deadlock - Technology for a Low Carbon Future

A new report from The Climate Group finds that scaling up energy efficiency and renewable energy while avoiding deforestation can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short term, and are much-needed steps to achieve global climate goals. The report was launched by the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

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European Commission publishes study on impacts of CO2 regulation

The European Commission has published a new report on the impacts of CO2 regulation, particularly on the car industry. The report, prepared for the EC by AEA Technology of the UK looks at the feasibility and costs of reaching sub-100g CO2/km emissions for new cars.

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Industry News

Nissan announces £200m investment in car battery plant in Sunderland

The Government has warmly welcomed the announcement by Nissan that it will invest more than £200m over five years in a lithium-ion battery plant in Sunderland. The news came alongside the announcement that the Government is to make the north-east the "UK's Low Carbon Economic Area specialising in ultra-low carbon vehicles".

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SMMT creates industry-wide Electric Vehicle Group

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has established a new Electric Vehicle Group. The new group will include volume manufacturers, niche vehicle producers and component suppliers. The Group will seek to interact with government, stakeholders and industry both in the UK and internationally, and promote a collaborative industry-wide approach to the development of ultra-low carbon technologies. Meanwhile, the electric car maker Tesla Motors has joined the SMMT.

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Exxon Mobil to invest $600m in development of biofuel from algae

Exxon Mobil Corporation has announced an alliance with a leading biotechnology company, Synthetic Genomics Inc (SGI) to research and develop biofule from photosynthetic algae. Exxon Mobil says it expects to spend more than $600 million if research and development milestones for the project are met.

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Toyota confirms plans to build hybrid cars in the UK

Toyota Motor Europe has announced plans to manufacture a hybrid version of the Toyota Auris at Burnaston, Derbyshire. Production of the vehicle is expected to begin in mid-2010. The vehicle will be the first full hybrid to be manufactured in Europe. Meanwhile, plans have been announced for the mass production of an electric car in Bangalore, India, to begin early in 2010.

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Nissan launches Intelligent Driver Project

Following the lead of a similar trial in Japan, Nissan has launched an eight-month trial in the UK geared at improving driving habits to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nissan Intelligent Driver Project (NIDP) started at the end of June in the UK and uses satellite navigation systems, mobile phone technology and advanced vehicle telematics to analyse driving habits and suggest ways of improving fuel economy.

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Policy Developments

Used car fuel efficiency label to be launched in the autumn

A colour-coded fuel economy label for used cars is to commence in the autumn. The used car label is based on the successful new car label now on display in over 90% of showrooms. The scheme - brokered by the LowCVP with support from both government and industry - will help consumers consider the environmental performance of cars they are looking to buy at dealers, particularly their road tax band and fuel consumption.

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US lawmakers move to incentivise natural gas vehicles

US lawmakers have revealed legislative plans for introducing tax credit incentives for the use of natural gas vehicles. The new bill, which was sponsored by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, will extend tax credits for 10 years on buying vehicles that run on natural gas as well as installing natural gas refuelling stations.

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EC announces €140m call for fuel cells and hydrogen proposals

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) has launched its second call for proposals. It is looking to fund projects with a value of €140 million, with €71.3 million from the Commission matched by in-kind contributions from industrial partners. These will be based on 29 topics, with the aim of bringing fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies to market two to five years earlier than under 'business as usual'.

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Technology News

Laser technology used at ignition could improve fuel efficiency

Liverpool Univesity engineers say that cutting-edge laser technology could be used in car ignition systems to cut emissions and fuel use. The Liverpool researchers are being backed by Ford and have recently received a £200,000 research grant from the Carbon Trust.

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Factory to produce diesel from sugarcane opens in Brazil

A large-scale facility to produce hydrocarbons from sugarcane has opened in Brazil. Owned by Amyris Biotechnologies, the plant uses engineers microbes to turn sugarcane juice into diesel and has a capacity of more than 10,000 gallons of fuel a year.

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LowCVP News

Advertise your low carbon transport job with the LowCVP

LowCVP members are invited to advertise jobs in low carbon transport on a new section of the LowCVP website and in the LowCVP monthly newsletter. Members are also invited to provide ideas for short 'open space' articles to LowCVP for possible inclusion on the website and in the newsletter. The website receives over 55,000 visits a month and the newsletter goes to 2,000 subscribers.

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Promote your carbon saving technology to vehicle and component manufacturer executives

The LowCVP Technology Challenge is seeking innovative technologies that could lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light goods vehicles. Selected entries will present their ideas to a panel of senior executives from the OEM vehicle and leading component manufacturers. www.lowcvp.org.uk/technologychallenge.

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Government fund for green buses will help to transform the market says LowCVP

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, of the introduction of a £30 million fund to support the purchase of low carbon buses. In conjunction with the changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) announced in the Budget, this package of measures will help transform the market for low carbon buses in the UK, significantly reduce emissions from the bus fleet and help to secure UK jobs.

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International Developments

EU unveils remodelled tyre labelling proposal

Revised legislative proposals for a new EU tyre efficiency and noise label were tabled by the European Commission last week, according to a report from ENDS Europe. This came after the Commission had accepted a first-reading amendment by MEPs changing the legal base of the draft rules from a directive to a regulation.

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Tax cut on low emission vehicles boosts sales in Japan

Japanese car manufacturers reported a sharp rise in sales in Japan during May this year following the Government decision to cut taxes on low emission cars.

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Portugal rolls out EV charging network

Portugal announced a plan Monday to install about 1,300 recharging sites for electric vehicles over the next two years, part of an effort to create a mass market for environmentally friendly electric cars expected to go on sale next year. The first phase of deployment will include recharging sites in 21 cities and rural districts chosen for their high population density and traffic volume, the Economy and Innovation Ministry said in a statement.

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Other News

Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme - information days and sources

The Department for Transport (DfT) Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme 2009 to 2011 was launched on 22nd July 2009. The Programme will provide £1 million in grant funding at an average 50% intervention rate for alternative refuelling infrastructure, including electric vehicle recharging, natural gas, hydrogen and bio-methane refuelling.

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Open Space Articles

Haul in the name of good sense - Robert Matthams (Shiply.com)

Whilst we are all busy working to build more efficient vehicles and efficiency solutions, both for private and commercial customers, there remains an age-old problem – empty-running Lorries. Department for Transport figures show that over 25% of lorries and 15% of vans on Britain’s roads run completely empty and over 50% run only part-full.

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Events

2009 Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards – entries welcome!
17th Nov 2009

The Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards is an annual event which recognises businesses that have gone the extra mile to reduce carbon emissions from their fleet operations that is funded by the Department for Transport and supported by the Guardian and CBI. The application deadline is Monday 24th August and all you have to do is submit a 250 word application explaining you are a fleet hero. The winners will be announced at a prestigious networking event in City Hall, Central London on 17th November and profiled in a special supplement in the Guardian and Fleet News.

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The Carbon Show - The International Exhibition for Trading, Reducing and Managing Carbon (29-30 Sept)
29th Sep 2009

Carbon 2009 will address the future of the carbon markets and aims to help global organisations manage their carbon emissions more effectively. It will be the first exhibition of its size and scale to be held in London, enabling the carbon management and trading communities to network, meet end-users from across the UK & Europe, develop business relationships and hear from the industry’s leading carbon experts. NB THE DATES OF THIS EVENT HAVE CHANGED TO 29-30 SEPT (originally scheduled for 23-24 Sept).

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