Climate Change News

WMO says latest data on climate is pushing world into 'uncharted territory'

Scientists at the World Meteorological Organisation say that Earth is a planet in upheaval. The Organisation's latest report says that unprecedented heat across the globe, exceptionally low ice at both poles and surging sea-level rise is pushing the world into “truly uncharted territory”. Meanwhile, US scientists have calculated that human activity is the cause of up to 70% of the decline in Arctic summer sea ice.

Policy Developments

Four select committees launch unprecedented joint inquiry into air quality

Four Parliamentary select committees have launched a joint inquiry into cross-government plans to address the impact and scale of the UK's air quality challenge. In an unprecedented joint initiative, MPs representing all political parties on the Environmental Audit, Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Health and Transport Committees will hold four evidence sessions to consider the scientific evidence on the health and environmental impacts of outdoor air pollution.

Mayor announces new checker scheme for polluting vehicles in collaboration with Paris

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a scheme through which motorists will be able to identify and avoid buying the most polluting diesel and petrol cars and vans through a new emissions scoring scheme. A similar scheme is to be launched in Paris.

Government announces £64m funding to boost to electric taxis

The Government has announced funding for a £50 million Plug-in Taxi Grant programme that will give taxi drivers up to £7,500 off the price of a new vehicle. The announcement was made as the London Taxi Company celebrated the opening of a new dedicated EV manufacturing facility near Coventry.

UK government announces £23m boost to hydrogen transport infrastructure

The UK government has announced a new £23 million fund aimed at accelerating the take-up of hydrogen vehicles by rolling out more cutting-edge infrastructure. The government will issue a a competition bid for proposals from public organisations, businesses and hydrogen operators and will provide matched funding for those who are successful.  

LowCVP response to the SMMT New Car CO2 Report 2017

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is pleased to receive the latest report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which provides a key piece of evidence in tracking progress on road transport decarbonisation. 

Minister announces public EV chargepoint design competition

Speaking at an All-Party Parliamentary Design & Innovation Group event, the transport minister John Hayes announced plans for a public charge point design competition which he hopes will make charge points "not just recognisable, but also attractive, even beautiful". 

Industry News

London Taxi Company opens UK's first dedicated plug-in vehicle manufacturing plant near Coventry

The London Taxi Company has officially opened the UK's first manufacturing facility at Ansty near Coventry dedicated to electric vehicle production. Expected to create 1,000 jobs, it is the first all new vehicle manufacturing facility to be built in Britain for more than a decade and represents the first major Chinese investment of its kind in UK automotive from LTC's parent company Geely.

Uber announces plans to invest in fast-charging in London after report finds charging facilities hold back EV uptake

A six-month trial of electric vehicles by at least 50 Uber drivers in London found that there is enthusiasm to continue operating the vehicles but frustration at the challenges in accessing charging -and particularly rapid charging - facilities in the capital. Following the release of the report by the Energy Saving Trust, Uber has announced plans to invest in a network of rapid chargers to complement London's charging infrastructure.

Reports & Studies

US fuel economy standards can be met cost-effectively & cheaper than projected - study

A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), says that the Environmental Protection Agency overstated by as much as 40 percent how much car makers must spend to meet fuel efficiency standards and that the money consumers save on fuel would more than offset a higher purchase price.

Twelve major cities introducing policies to reduce car dependence

Twelve major cities around the world have, or are in the process of, introducing policies to reduce or stop car use. According to a report by Business Insider, one of the most proactive cities, Madrid, plans to ban cars from 500 acres of its city center by 2020, with urban planners redesigning 24 of the city's busiest streets for walking rather than driving.  

LowCVP News

LowCVP's first Low Emission Bus Workshop held in Manchester.

The LowCVP held the first of four free regional Low Emission Bus Workshops for operators and local authorities at the University of Manchester on March 30th. Over 100 delegates were in attendance to hear about the operational experiences of low carbon and low emission bus technologies and fuels in the UK over the last five years.

LowCVP newsletter survey feedback

The recent LowCVP e-Newsletter survey results are in - thanks to all of you who responded. Over 200 responses were received (approaching 10% of our readership).  85% of respondents rated the Newsletter either 'Very Good' or 'Good'. 15% of subscribers have been reading the LowCVP newsletter for over five years and an additional 20% for between three and five years.

Other News

Cenex announces installation of first domestic vehicle-to-grid unit in the UK

The first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) unit to be built and installed in the UK has been announced by Cenex. The installation is set for a home in Loughborough and was developed through the Ebbs and Flows of Energy Systems (EFES) project aimed at homes being powered by their owner’s electric vehicle.

Transport Knowledge Hub launched at LEP Conference

A new Transport Knowledge Hub - jointly funded by the Department for Transport and Greener Journeys - will provide local decision makers with the tools and information to make economically effective transport investment decisions. Created by Greener Jouneys in collaboration with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the Hub is also intended to be a catalyst for creating a community of local decision makers.

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