Policy Developments

MEPs vote to impose new limits on food-based biofuels

MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee have voted to limit at 6% the use of land-based biofuels that can count toward the 10% renewable energy target in transport by 2020. MEPs also approved the accounting of indirect emissions (ILUC) arising from the production of biofuels under the Fuel Quality Directive, with a review clause to put them in all pieces of legislation after 2020.

Government gives green light for testing of driverless cars following review

Following a review of the prospects for driverless car technology which says that the UK is uniquely positioned to lead in its development, the Government has given the green light for its testing on public roads. 

OLEV announces competition for hydrogen refuelling stations

A grant scheme launched by the UK government to support the roll-out of a UK hydrogen fuel network is now accepting infrastructure proposals for seven new hydrogen refuelling stations. 

LowCVP News

UK support for low carbon innovation – a unique funding information & consortium building event, March 4

The UK offers support to innovators in low carbon transport from early ideas, all the way to demonstrations and initial production. The LowCVP will host a unique open event in Milton Keynes next Wednesday March 4, featuring experts from the full spectrum of the UK’s support and funding agencies including EPSRC, Innovate UK, Horizon 2020, Advanced Propulsion Centre and the Proving Factory. The event will provide a chance to learn about the range of funding and support available, seek partners for the next H2020 calls, and a chance to provide feedback on how policy makers can act to further strengthen UK backing for automotive innovation.

LowCVP Champions Awards to be presented at gala dinner Sept 9, alongside LCV 2015

The LowCVP is once again teaming up with Cenex to present this year's Low Carbon Champions Awards at a gala dinner which will be held on the evening of Wednesday September 9, alongside Cenex's Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) Event 2015. The LowCVP and Cenex began the association last year in a collaboration which culminated in a very successful and oversubscribed event in Milton Keynes. This year's event will be hosted at a new, larger capacity venue and promises to be even more popular.  Awards sponsors are now being invited and full details will be released soon but early booking will be essential to secure a place.

LowCVP announces SME innovators to be showcased at Parliamentary reception

The LowCVP is hosting a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons on the afternoon of March 9, 2015. The reception will feature an exhibition of dynamic UK companies that are leading the way in low carbon road transport innovation, helping to deliver environmental benefits as well as successfully generating growth and jobs.

Reports & Studies

CO2-based registration taxes have strong influence on market - report

A recent report from the Brussels-based NGO, Transport and Environment (T&E) finds that countries with the lowest CO2 emissions from new cars usually have registration and company car taxes which are strongly graduated according to those emissions.

Technology News

£10m competition to promote innovation in battery design

Innovate UK is to run a competition on behalf of the Government which will put £10m towards innovation in battery design to fund the development of a new high-voltage battery pack for the next generation of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

Industry News

£22m Proving Factory opens to bring low carbon auto technology to the market

The Proving Factory, a strategic alliance between Productiv and Tata Steel, has opened for business with plants in Coventry and South Yorkshire. The initiative, opened by the Business Secretary Vince Cable at the Coventry site, was originally conceived and nurtured in the LowCVP's Innovation Working Group. It will take low carbon vehicle technologies developed by small high-tech British companies and university research departments, 'industrialise' and then produce them at ‘proving volumes’ of 10,000-20,000 units a year.

More leading manufacturers join Go Ultra Low campaign as EV sales surge

Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen have joined the four existing Go Ultra Low campaign members - BMW, Nissan, Renault and Toyota - to help boost awareness of the benefits of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVS). Meanwhile, the latest figures show that EV sales are rising with the 25,000th plug-in car and plug-in van grant claim recently submitted since the scheme began in 2010. The growth has prompted revisions to the plug-in car scheme.

Other News

Scottish company becomes the first to make transport fuel from whisky

A Scottish company which will be exhibiting at the LowCVP's Parliamentary Reception on March 9 has received nationwide coverage as it has become the first in the world to produce biofuel capable of powering cars from residues of the whisky industry. Edinburgh-based Celtic Renewables now plans to build a production facility in central Scotland after manufacturing the first samples of bio-butanol from the by-products of whisky fermentation.

Events

APPCCG & PRASEG – Transport Infrastructure: low carbon vehicles – a journey to a more sustainable future

The LowCVP Managing Director, Andy Eastlake will speak at a PRASEG (Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group) & APPCCG (All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group) meeting to be held in the House of Commons. The meeting will look at the high level trends that have driven - and will continue to drive - the automotive sector in an increasingly low carbon direction.

CENEX - Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) Event 2015

Cenex's LCV is one of the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle events. LCV2015 will provide 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. Following its successful inauguartion last year, the event will also include a Gala Dinner featuring the LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards on the evening of September 9.

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