Policy Developments

Government announces 'Clean Growth Strategy', setting out benefits of decarbonisation

The UK Government has announced its long-awaited industrial strategy which sets out proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy through the 2020s to meet the 5th Carbon budget by 2032. It explains how the whole country can benefit from low carbon opportunities, while meeting national and international commitments to tackle climate change. The strategy places 'smart energy systems' and new technologies at its centre, highlighting specifically where £2.5 billion of investment will be made in low carbon innovation.

£10 a day 'Toxicity Charge' begins for older, more polluting ICE cars in London

A new £10-a-day T-charge (Toxicity Charge) has begun in London which will operate in addition to the £11.50 Congestion Charge. It will apply to pre-Euro 4 petrol and diesel vehicles driving into central London. It is part of a series of measures by the Mayor of London to tackle air pollution in the capital which also includes the recent launch of a new online car checker designed to help motorists choose vehicles with the cleanest engines.

Oxford proposes 'world first' Zero Emission Zone in city centre

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are proposing to introduce what they say is the world’s first Zero Emission Zone in Oxford city centre. The authorities are consulting on proposals which will see a phased introduction, beginning with several city centre streets from 2020. Meanwhile, proposed bans on petrol and diesel vehicles in Holland and in cities including Paris would appear to be hastening the automotive technology transition.

UK Government announces £65m for battery tech research institute

The UK Government has announced the consortium of UK universities that will form the new ‘Faraday Battery Institute’. The Institute's mission is to raise the UK to a leadership position in battery research and technology.  £65m will be channeled through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Institute will initially invest £13.7m to set up its headquarters. 

Tackling carbon emissions one of three key priorities says National Infrastructure Commission

The National Infrastructure Commission said that the three Cs - Congestion, Capacity and Carbon - are key priorities as it published its interim National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA). Once every Parliament, the National Infrastructure Commission is required to publish its NIA which analyses the UK’s long-term economic infrastructure needs, outlines a strategic vision over the next 30 years and sets out recommendations for how identified needs should be met.

Reports & Studies

Study finds electric vehicles reduce life-cycle GHG emissions, even with carbon-intensive grid mix

A new report from Belgium's VUB University for Transport and Environment finds that electric cars emit significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetimes than diesel engines even when they are powered by the most carbon intensive electricity.  The findings further corroborate LowCVPs previous research from 2011 and 2013.

T&E publishes work on designing representative vehicle tests

Brussels-based NGO Transport and Environment has published a briefing about its findings based on more than 400 real-world CO2 tests, performed with Peugeot-Citroen. T&E says that road tests conducted under controlled conditions are not as reproducible as a laboratory test but do provide a robust basis for estimating real-world emissions.

Signs of peak in oil demand as EVs and renewables surge

Leading oil analysts Wood Mackenzie have forecast that world petrol demand will peak in little over a decade as a result of the rise in electric vehicles and more efficient engines. Meanwhile The Times reports that figures released by the AA show that UK petrol and diesel demand fell in the first 8 months of 2017, compared with the same period last year, despite an increase in traffic.

LowCVP News

Leading innovators in low carbon transport recognised at LowCVP gala dinner

LowCVP News: The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) announced the 2017 Low Carbon Champions last night at the ‘green transport’ networking event of the year, held in association with Energy 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Industry News

Volvo and Geely unveil new 'Polestar' electric vehicle brand

Volvo and the Chinese manufacturer Geely have announced the launch of a new brand - Polestar - and the launch of a new vehicle - Polestar 1 - a plug-in hybrid vehicle with extended electric range. Meanwhile, in a separate manufacturer alliance Mazda, Denso and Toyota have signed a contract to jointly develop basic structural technologies for EVs.

OVO and Nissan partner in vehicle-to-grid consumer offering

The car manufacturer Nissan and energy supplier Ovo Energy have announced plans to collaborate in the launch of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service in 2018. The new offering combines OVO Energy’s intelligent energy technology and the Nissan xStorage Home system using Nissan LEAF second life batteries. 

Events

Low Emission Bus Workshop: Nottingham - 16/11/2017

LowCVP host their third Low Emission Bus Workshop in Nottingham, discussing the challenges facing the city and the wider county and celebrating the achievements made to date in rolling out Low Emission Bus technologies in the city.

LoCITY Annual Conference - 07/11/2017

The event will showcase the latest ultra low emission vehicles and technologies available for city fleets. The free-to-attend event will be held at London’s Alexandra Palace on Tuesday 7 November, with the latest clean, safe and quiet urban commercial vehicles and technologies on show in a full-day’s programme with top industry speakers.

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