Happy Christmas and a good, low carbon 2016 to all our readers

The LowCVP Secretariat would like to wish all members and newsletter readers a merry Christmas and happy new year.  

Climate Change News

Over 400 leading businesses pledge action after Paris summit

Over 400 businesses, including many of the World's largest companies, have signed a joint declaration - The Paris Pledge for Action - committing to support the goals of the deal agreed at the COP21 summit.

Policy Developments

Government announces extension to plug-in car grant

The Government has announced changes to grant levels and a long-term extension to the plug-in car grant, backed by a £400 million package to treble the number of ultra low emission vehicles on Britain’s roads. The grant will continue until at least the end of March 2018 and 100,000 people are expected to benefit.

Government announces plans to tackle poor air quality

The Government has announced plans to improve air quality in cities which include the introduction of Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton by 2020. The Government says that these Zones will not affect private car owners, but will see the most polluting vehicles, like old buses, taxis, coaches and lorries, discouraged from entering the zone through charges.

Committee on Climate Change sets target of 57% cut in emissions by 2028-32

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has published its fifth carbon budget advice, recommending that the level of UK emissions in 2028-32  is set at 1,765 MtCO2e (including international shipping), limiting annual emissions to an average of 57% below 1990 levels.

Ambitions revealed in Low Emission Bus Bids

Details have emerged of two of the bids submitted to the new £30m Low Emission Bus Scheme that shed light on the ambition of two of the UK’s largest operators to roll out the latest bus technologies that will help to tackle both poor air quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Industry News

Ford to invest $4.5bn in electric vehicle range

Ford Motor Company has announced plans to invest $4.5 billion in electric vehicles by 2020 adding 13 new electric models to its portfolio. By 2020 it expects more than 40 percent of the company’s global nameplates will come in electrific versions. This represents Ford’s largest ­ever electric vehicle investment in a five­-year period.

Nissan teams up with energy supplier ENEL to bring Smart Grid 'energy hubs' to Europe

A new partnership between the world's biggest selling electric car maker Nissan and multinational energy provider ENEL is seeking to to bring Smart Grid technology to Europe allowing drivers to operate as individual ‘energy hubs’ with the ability to store, use or return electricity to the grid.

International Developments

GFEI report: Global fuel efficiency progress below target

The latest Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) report shows that although average fuel economy is improving around the world, it is not at a pace necessary to meet 2050’s global targets. 

Events

IMechE: Developments in Transmission and Driveline Technology - 22/03/2016

Developments in Transmissions and Driveline Technology explores the evolution to have high quality power and control in a vehicle, whilst maintaining optimum fuel economy and efficiency. This unique technical seminar not only addresses transmission and driveline developments for passenger cars, but also advances being made across the industry, on and off highway. 

Other News

'Blue City' London to begin in January with ten EVs for short-term hire

A new electric car-sharing scheme is to begin in London from January 2016. The Bollore Group plans to replicate an initiative which is already established in Paris with 3600 'Autolib' electric cars available for short-term use across the city. Ten vehicles will initially be introduced to London, the launch having been delayed by complications involving the securing of cooperation between local authorities and the state of London's electric car charging network.

Electricity networks will require upgrade with large scale EV charging but cost can be minimised study finds

Across Britain, 32% of local electricity networks (312,000 circuits) will require intervention when 40% - 70% of customers have EVs. That's the headline finding at the conclusion of the My Electric Avenue project which was set up to study the capacity to deliver power for EV charging where demand is concentrated in small areas. The researchers found that new technology could reduce the cost of intervention by around £2.2 billion up to 2050.

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