LowCVP News, 31 October 2013 (Issue 110) |
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Germany forces revision of deal on CO2 emissions from cars
European environment ministers have acceded to German pressure to scrap an agreement to cap CO2 emissions from new cars at 95g/km from 2020. The European Parliament, the Commission and EU governments had reached agreement in June and the deal was expected to 'rubber-stamped' by the European Council. However, the German government, under pressure from its car makers, has argued that the regulations would cost jobs and damage its premium manufacturers.
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Policy Developments |
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Decision on future European biofuels policy delayed until 2015
A decision on the future of biofuels in Europe was delayed at an October 17 meeting of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament. The Committee voted against allowing negotiations with member states on a draft law to cap the use of food crop-based biofuels and measure indirect emissions arising from production from 2020. This means that a decision on future biofuels legislation is now unlikely to be reached before 2015.
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Government announces support for 55 more green buses
The Government has announced that additional money is being made available to bring 55 more low carbon buses into service. Speaking at Coach and Bus Live, transport minister Norman Baker said that the work will build on the success of the government's Green Bus Fund and related Clean Bus Technology Fund.
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New transport minister makes first speech at electric car club event
Baroness Kramer made her first speech as newly appointed Minister of State for Transport at the launch of E-Car, the first electric vehicle car club in the UK. During her speech the new minister said: "We are absolutely committed as a government to speeding up the development of electric and other ultra low carbon vehicles – and supporting the growing market."
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MPs debate greener road transport fuels
The new Conservative Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport , Robert Goodwill, said that the Government is committed to building a low-carbon energy system and transport must play a part in that. The minister was speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on greener road transport fuels.
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EU to set strategy for improving air quality beyond 2020
The EU is to set a long-term strategy for improving European air quality to 2020 and beyond. The revised National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) will bring EU legislation into line with the Gothenburg Protocol through the inclusion of new limits for 2020 and further reduction measures to 2030.
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Technology Developments |
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Nissan leads Rapid Charge EV Network project for UK
In a European first, Nissan is leading an EC-backed consortium which aims to establish a rapid charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the UK. The Rapid Charge Network (RCN) project will see 74 multi-standard rapid chargers installed across 700 miles of the country’s major road network. The project aims to ensure than any electric vehicle can be recharged in under 30 minutes.
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LOWCVP NEWS |
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LowCVP MD Andy Eastlake wins award for outstanding achievement
The LowCVP's Managing Director Andy Eastlake was recognised for his contribution to the promotion of low carbon road transport when he received GreenFleet's Outstanding Achievement Award at at an event held last night at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London.
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Industry News |
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New study suggests motor industry is most consistently sustainable
New research suggests that the automotive industry includes the most consistently sustainable organisations. Ranked against leading companies already rated in the Dow Jones top 50 businesses for sustainability, automotive companies achieved the highest average score, ahead of global brands from the energy utilities, food and beverages, ICT and oil and gas sectors.
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GLA, Welsh Government and Scottish Transport join UKH2Mobility
The Greater London Authority, Welsh Government and Transport Scotland are the latest organisations to join UK H2Mobility, a national project in which industry leaders and Government are working together to realise the benefits of hydrogen-fuelled road transport.
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Other News |
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LowCVP Other Future Activities |
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LowCVP Board, 31 October, Ricardo-AEA office, London. On the agenda: Work Programme; Governance; ULEV strategy; Conference 2014
Bus Working Group, 3 December, (SMMT, 71 Great Peter St, Westminster).
Members Council, 10 December, (71 Great Peter St, Westminster).
If you are already a member, login to the LowCVP members' section on any of the website pages.
To join the Partnership and help steer the policy and build the markets, click here
For more information on current activities and projects taking place in each of the LowCVP Working Groups, click here.
News-in-brief |
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» Electric vehicle take up slowed by ‘cost and ignorance’ (Daily Telegraph link)
» Government announces £186m boost for technologies of the future (BIS news link)
» IEA says energy efficiency should be treated as 'World's first fuel' (Euractiv link)
» EU on track to meet carbon targets (EDIE news link)
» Cenex announces LCV 2014 dates (Fleet News link)
» Report: Shifting away from conventional biofuels - sustainable alternatives for use of biomass in the UK – IEEP report for Action Aid
» $2bn for California low carbon transport (Calstart link)
» China announces new policy on 'green' cars (China Daily link)
» EST reports potential savings from running electric vans (EST link)
» Toyota slashes fuel cell car development costs (Reuters link)
» Dutch NGO launches ‘real world’ emissions campaign in Holland
» New trials show increased satisfaction with EVs (GreenFleet link)
» JLR reveals plans for the future (SMMT link)
» Energy and Climate Change Committee announces new inquiry into low carbon innovation (ECC link)
» DfT updates Plug-in Car Grant guidance (DfT link)
» New ACEA Dir General takes office (ACEA news link)
» Team uses cellulosic content to advance biofuels output (Checkbiotech link)
» Ford Fiesta wins MPG marathon (Green Car Website link)
» ICCT and CATARC announce research collaboration
» Fossil fuel boycott campaign growing (The Guardian link)
» Ecotricity link up with VW to supply electricity to EVs (Blue and Green Tomorrow link)
» Bursaries available for Carplus Conference (Carplus link)
New LowCVP Members |
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Aero-Dynamique Ltd
Arcola Energy
Autogas Limited
Calor Gas Ltd
City of York Council
DLC Capital
FAR-UK Ltd
Greenwatt Technology
Octavarium Fleet Consultancy Limited
Oxford Brookes University
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