Policy Developments

Budget 2014 gives support for ultra low emission company cars; incentives for zero emission vans and low carbon fuel

The Chancellor has announced changes to Company Car Tax which will mean that a discount for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) will be extended beyond 2016-17. In Budget 2014, there is also encouragement for the zero emission vans and for the uptake of methanol as a transport fuel.

Government publishes recommendations on use of methane and biomethane in HGVs

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) have published papers and recommendations to increase the use of biomethane in heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The recommendations include views gathered by the Low Emission HGV Task Force, of which the LowCVP is a prominent member.

Welsh Assembly sets out plans to boost low carbon vehicle sector at Cardiff event

The Welsh Assembly Government has set out an action plan to support the growth of the low carbon vehicle sector in Wales. The plan was launched at an event held on 18 March in Cardiff which was attended by the Economy Minister Edwina Hart.

LowCVP provides input to DfT Call for Evidence on Advanced Fuels

In its response to the Department for Transport's Advanced Fuels Call for Evidence, the LowCVP says that Government will need to support the deployment of a range of advanced fuels if the road transport sector is to play a full role in achieving the UK’s 2050 CO2 targets. The LowCVP submission was prepared following extensive consultation with Partnership stakeholders.

International Developments

EU and US agree to work together to tackle climate change

Following a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels during March, US President Obama said that he and EU leaders will throw their combined weight behind tackling climate change. The announcement follows shortly after news of a similar commitment by the US and China.

Industry News

Paris Autolib-style electric car share scheme coming to London

An electric car sharing scheme, pioneered in Paris and known as Autolib, is set to come to London in March 2015 according to the Bolloré Group which has won a contract from Transport for London to upgrade and extend the city's electric charging network.

Average UK new car CO2 emissions down 3.6% in 2013; target for 2015 achieved early

Average new car CO2 emissions fell 3.6% in 2013 compared with the previous year according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) latest report. The average new car sold in 2013 emitted 128.3g/km CO2, almost 30% down on 2000. The average new car sold is now 42% more fuel efficient over the same period. Progress on fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction over the last decade or so has been the most rapid and sustained in UK automotive history.

AIO boss points to investors 'real interest' in UK automotive’s strength in low-carbon R&D.

Joe Greenwell, CEO of the Automotive Investment Organisation, speaking at SMMT's Open Forum said that there is ‘real interest’ from investors in UK automotive’s growing aptitude for low-carbon R&D. A former Chair of Shell, Greenwell said that UK is making progress in investment attracting projects.

Audi traffic light monitoring system can improve vehicle efficiency

German car manufacturer Audi has developed a new online information system which it says could save up to 900 million litres of fuel and reduce a vehicle's CO2 emissions by up to 15%. The system works by anticipating changes in traffic lights and could be particularly applicable to urban driving. 

JLR announces collaboration with ClimateCare to create opportunities in developing countries

JLR has announced a collaboration with ClimateCare which it says will create opportunities for 12 million people around the world by 2020 through a range of humanitarian, conservation, environmental and educational initiatives. The initiative is a central part of JLR's community welfare strategy.

LowCVP News

LowCVP announces new Chair of Board of Directors

Darran Messem has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. He is International Director of the Carbon Trust and Managing Director of Carbon Trust Certification. He succeeds Professor Neville Jackson, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Ricardo UK Ltd who has been Chair of the LowCVP since April 2009.

LowCVP commissions study to examine impacts of policy on automotive investment

The LowCVP has commissioned E4tech and the Centre for Automotive Industry Research, Cardiff (CAIR) to undertake a study which will focus on trends in UK automotive investment over the last decade and at the impacts of policy on on areas which seems to have been emerging as an industrial success story.

Other News

David Greenwood appointed to JLR Professorial Chair at WMG

Jaguar Land Rover and Warwick Manufacturing Group, at the University of Warwick, have appointed Professor David Greenwood as the Jaguar Land Rover Professorial Chair in Advanced Propulsion Systems for the National Automotive Innovation Campus. Dave Greenwood has been closely associated with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership for many years as Chair of the Innovation Working Group. 

Events

Sustainability Hub event: 'Green and growth: we can have both - lessons from road transport and other sectors'

This free to attend event, featuring Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander MP, is hosted by sustainability hub in association with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. It will discuss how the UK can secure and maintain a technological edge, encouraging industry to continue to invest in in low carbon vehicle technologies through an ongoing, consistent and long-term policy approach, avoiding calls to roll back commitments aimed at helping to achieve a low carbon future.

Carplus Annual Conference 2014 - Trends in shared transport

The Carplus Annual Conference will be an opportunity to hear the latest news from the sector and to discuss some of the developing trends.  It will focus on the future of shared mobility and explore how we are preparing for it; the opportunities that lie ahead and what may need to be done to adapt.

Automotive Cleantech: Driving Innovation

The Automotive Cleantech event on 2 April will focus on the role of innovation in automobiles and transport. This morning event will cover a range of approaches to low carbon mobility and will include speakers representing both Government funding bodies and private sector investors - as well as companies developing innovative solutions.

Sustainability Live

A leading UK event for energy efficiency, energy recovery, water and wastewater management comprising of NEMEX, IWEX and ENERGY RECOVERY. The event provides a free-to-attend keynote and seminar programme and the opportunity to compare products and services from a wide range of exhibitors.The LowCVP is participating in the seminar programme in the Energy Recovery theatre.

GreenFleet Scotland 2014 - Scotland's only fleet sustainability event!

This year's Green Fleet Scotland event moves to the Highland Hall in order to accommodate more vehicles and exhibitors than ever before.  The event will include an indoor exhibition with test drives of zero and low emission vehicles, a series of seminars and, of course, the fuel efficient driving experience. The event provides an opportunity for businesses and other organisations to find out more about how to save money on their transport costs.  

TRANSFORM: Zero Emission Bus for European Cities - Market Consultation Workshop

Following a Call for Information and Dialogue regarding future options for zero-emission city bus networks, the Transform Consortium, working with the Transport KTN, the LowCVP and Cenex, is hosting a workshop to explore the next steps in the development of market initiatives for zero emission buses.   

UK AD and Biogas 2014

UK AD & Biogas 2014 is the UK’s only trade show dedicated exclusively to AD and biogas and attracts a directly interested audience. The event includes a free two day conference, 22 free seminars and an exhibition with over 270 exhibitors.

Cenex-LCV2014

Cenex-LCV 2014, the UK's largest Low Carbon Vehicle and technology event, will be held on 10th & 11th September 2014 at the Millbrook Proving Ground. The seventh in a series of national low carbon vehicle events run by Cenex, this year LCV2014 provides exhibitors with a technology exhibition area based in three halls, as well as outdoor exhibition space on the Steering Pad for both static vehicle displays, and space for vehicles participating in the ride & drive activities on Millbrook’s tracks.

News-In-Brief