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LowCVP News February 2015
OLEV announces a further £32m to be invested in charging infrastructure


The Government has announced a further £32m support for infrastructure to support the introduction of plug-in vehicles in the UK up to 2020. The funding will encourage the installation of charging points outside people's homes, at hospitals, train stations and on A-roads. A further £11m funding has been announced for low emission vehicle innovation.


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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.


NEW MEMBERS

We are pleased to welcome the following new members to the Partnership.

Vayon Group - A green technology group specialising in the design and development of electric and hybrid power systems. They  deliver all or any part of an electrification project, for a vehicle manufacturer or technology developed from concept to prototype and into production.

BOC -  Part of The Linde Group, with over 100 years’ experience in dealing with all types of gases,  we are investing in innovative zero-loss refuelling solutions, the development of new LNG production and storage facilities, as well as taking a leading part in the development of safety and operating standards.

EA Technology - A leading technology provider and delivery body for the Ofgem Low Carbon Networks Fund project ‘My Electric Avenue’ – trilaing a novel EV charging technology that remotely controls the EV charge to manage demand on the local electricity networks.

National Grid National Grid owns and operates the gas distribution network in the North West, Midlands, East Anglia and North London areas of England.This network is a valuable existing asset carrying a low carbon transportation fuel around the country, urban areas, and alongside existing major transportation routes.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Bus Working Group28 April 2015, (venue tbc). On the agenda: 2015-16 work programme update; OLEV consultation and feedback; LCEB monitoring, LCEB accreditation procedure progress; LCEB regional workshop feedback. 
Members click here

Passenger Car Working Group6 May 2015, (FIA Foundation, WC2). On the agenda: 2015-16 work programme update; OLEV consultation and feedback; LEV Guide, tool and microsite update, Policy framework project update. 
Members click here

Fuels Working Group14 May 2015 (venue tbc). On the agenda: work programme; Transport Energy Task Force; Infrastructure Roadmap; Advanced fuels.
Members click here

Innovation Working Group4 March 2015, (Transport Systems Catapult, Milton Keynes). On the agenda: 2015-16 work programme; report on the potential for L category vehicles in the UK; regional support for SMEs; H2020 funding opportunities and consortium building.  
Members click here

Joint Group Working Projects5 March 2015, (SMMT, SW1). On the agenda: Strategy feedback, 2015-16 work programme planning, communications plans.
Members click here

LowCVP Board meeting26 March 2015 (1 Birdcage Walk, SW1). On the agenda: election of Chair/Vice Chair, approve grant offer, sign off budget 2015/2016, LowCVP Annual Conference.
Members click here

Help steer the policy and build the markets by joining the Partnership..

Current activities and projects taking place in each of the LowCVP's Working Groups: more information.

News-In-Brief

» Industry lobby groups routinely greatly overestimate cost of complying with regs (report link)

» Three main UK party leaders make joint pledge on climate (BBC news link)

» New WWF report says UK Budget priorities must change (EDIE link)

» Next Green Car launches Zap-Map App for EV drivers (nextgreencar.com)

» John Prescott set to return to front-line politics (bbc.co.uk)

» Green light for Formula E in Battersea Park - Wandsworth Borough Council (fiaformulae.com)

» Biomass breakthrough creates solar cells from shrimp shells (sciencedaily.com)

» Cenex secures EU funding to tackle transport poverty with EV initiative (evfleetworld.co.uk)

» Government publishes latest biofuels statistics (Gov.uk)

» France announces €10,000 bonus plan for electric cars (Connexionfrance link)

» Poll: Quarter of electorate say their vote hinges on parties' stance on climate change (businessgreen.com)

» GM's 'Tesla killer' electric car will be made in Michigan (businessinsider.com)

» Waste biogas ten times more effective at cutting GHGs than crop biogas (Phys.org)

» Govt should support low emission diesel CV uptake says SMMT (SMMT link)

» Transport likely to miss climate target – EEA

» France moves against diesel (www.transportenvironment.org)

» KPMG appointed administrators to T.Baden Hardstaff Limited | KPMG | UK (www.kpmg.com)

» Google to take on Uber with driverless smart cars (www.climateactionprogramme.org)

» Apple reported to have begun production of an electric vehicle (Bloomberg link)

» DfT - Statistics: Biofuel statistics: Year 7 (2014 to 2015), report 2

» Ed Miliband brings back John Prescott as climate adviser (Independent link)

» Japan has twice as many EV rapid chargers than Europe; more than US (TE link)

» Sales of low carbon vehicles expected to surge in China this year (China Daily)

» Scotland makes £2.5m investment to cut vehicle emissions (Scotland.gov)

» US EPA issues tougher rules on vehicle fuel economy (NY Times)

» Ford pilots one-way car club in London (carshareservices.com)

» Rushlight Awards 2014-15 Results (www.rushlightevents.com)

» Aberdeen reveals routes for hydrogen-powered bus fleet (Aberdeen Evening Express)

» RAC Foundation says almost half of Scottish charging stations unused

» More than a third of UK councils now operate an EV - study (EDIE link)

» Toyota tests silicon carbide technology to make hybrids more efficient (Toyota link)

» Japanese car manufacturers set to thrive under tighter emissions regulations (EDIE link)

» Obama seeks to raise subsidies for EVs (Hydrogen Fuel News link)

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Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, 3 Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ

www.lowcvp.org.uk | secretariat@lowcvp.org.uk | +44 (0)20 7304 6880
Newsletter editor: Neil Wallis | neil.wallis@lowcvp.org.uk | Currently 2500+ subscribers

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