Policy Developments

Chancellor reaffirms support for low carbon vehicle agenda in Autumn Statement

The Government will continue to support the development and sale of Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles the Chancellor George Osborne said in his Autumn Budget Statement which also announced the Government's spending plans for the next five years. The Department for Transport's resource budget will be cut by 37% by 2019-20 but capital spending is planned to increase by 60%.

Energy and Climate Secretary announces major energy policy 'reset'

In a major speech on the direction of UK energy policy, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has announced the closure of all UK coal-fired power plants by 2025 and a switch to mainly gas and nuclear power generation.

Thermal and Systems Efficiency to be focus of new APC Spokes

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has announced that it will create two new APC 'spokes' for internal combustion engine technology, which it says will pull together highly-focused communities combining business and academia to support the development of the UK’s low carbon propulsion capability and help to strengthen the automotive supply chain in key technology areas.

New select committee inquiry into vehicle type approval announced

The Transport Select committee has launched an inquiry to examine whether the vehicle type approval testing is fit for purpose. Meanwhile the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has extended its inquiry into air quality to 18 December. Meanwhile, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has published its response to the Government’s draft air quality action plan

LowCVP News

2016 set to be the year of low carbon commercial vehicles as LowCVP kicks-off new initiatives at packed London workshop

The LowCVP, in collaboration with Transport for London, held a packed stakeholder workshop in London to progress the Partnership's commercial vehicle activity and to help coordinate the activities of a diverse range of organisations that are active in this space.

LowCVP holds second Low Emission Cities Workshop in Sheffield

The second LowCVP Low Emission Cities Workshop, hosted by Sheffield City Council on November 18, provided over 40 local authority and other delegates with advice and best practice examples of policies and technologies to cut carbon emissions and air pollution from road transport in the urban environment . The event was praised by attendees for the wide range of topics covered and for providing valuable first-hand experiences of low emission vehicle initiatives from across the UK. 

LowCVP publishes 'information hub' for low carbon vehicle and fuel roadmaps

The LowCVP has produced an 'information hub' on its website offering signposts to the growing range of fuel, vehicle and infrastructure 'roadmaps' which have been produced by the LowCVP and other leading actors in the road transport sector. The roadmaps are a vital tool for directing investment, R&D and policy and are also an important source of information for technology developers and investors in the automotive sector.

LowCVP passes 1500 'followers' as prepares to support DECC 'Tweetathon' to back climate action at Paris summit

The LowCVP - which has just passed 1500 followers on Twitter - will be supporting the Department for Energy and Climate Change's #BackClimateAction 'Tweetathon' on Thursday 3 December. As the world turns its attention towards achieving a global climate change deal in Paris, DECC want to showcase how business is leading the low carbon revolution.

Industry News

VW admits to 'irregularities' in CO2 emissions testing following air pollution scandal

Following its admission that 'defeat devices'  were used in diesel car emissions tests, Volkswagen has said that it has found “irregularities” in the carbon dioxide levels emitted by 800,000 of its cars. VW said that CO2 and fuel consumption were “set too low during the CO2 certification process.

First ‘mass production’ hydrogen cars arrive on UK roads

The world's biggest car maker, Toyota, and South Korea's Hyundai have launched the first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be available in Britain. Hyundai's ix35 FCEV and Toyota's Mirai will cost around £53,000 and £66,000 respectively. Honda has also announced it is set to launch its model the Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle in the UK in 2017.

Kia announces $12bn investment in EVs and autonomous vehicles

Kia Motors, the South Korean car maker is to invest $10.2bn into the development of hybrid and pure electric vehicles (EVs), with an additional $2bn going towards the development of autonomous vehicle technology. A five year R&D plan will see Kia increase funding to meet a 25% fuel-efficiency improvement target, while rolling out seven new electric vehicle models by 2020.

Reports & Studies

New report: EVs produce half the emissions of typical petrol car on life-cycle basis

Over their lifetime, battery electric vehicles produce far less global warming pollution than their gasoline counterparts -and they’re getting cleaner - according to a new report from the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists.

Report shows benefits to France's motorists, economy and environment from low carbon automotive shift

A new report by Cambridge Econometrics and Element Energy finds that the the transition to low carbon road transport will benefit the French economy and energy security as well as reducing motorists' costs. The report is the second in a series, the first of which - 'Fuelling Britain's Future' - was launched in collaboration with the LowCVP in London earlier in 2015.

Other News

'My Electric Avenue' trial finds grid could handle significant EV uptake; finale event planned for 3 December

The My Electric Avenue project which has studied the capacity to deliver power for electric vehicle charging where demand is concentrated in small areas is coming to a close. The EA Technology-led project's finale event takes place on 3 December. The event will be a chance to share learning and reveal details of a legacy initiative that will provide the platform for collaboration between the automotive and utilities sectors.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

News-In-Brief