« Back to newsletter listing

LowCVP Twitter LinkedIN YouTube
LowCVP News, 31 December 2013 (Issue 112)
KPMG says car industry set to flourish in 2014 aided by focus on low carbon innovation


The latest KPMG global auto survey forecasts that the UK car industry will flourish in 2014 helped by the UK Government's focus on low carbon innovation. It says that the prospects for electric and range-extended battery powered cars will brighten in the new year.


Policy Developments

Europe failure to agree biofuels target means ongoing uncertainty over policy

European energy ministers have rejected a political deal to amend EU biofuels policy limiting the use of food-based biofuels to 7% of transport fuel. The failure to find a compromise means that biofuels policy will remain uncertain until after the 2014 European elections. 

European Council agrees an approach to harmonising standards for refuelling infrastructure

The European Council has agreed on an approach to a proposal to increase the availability of alternative fuels across the EU with the aim of boosting the uptake of cleaner fuels. The proposed Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, which forms part of the Clean Power for Transport initiative, targets a minimum number of recharging points and refuelling stations across the EU.

Cleaner road fuels given guaranteed duty differential to 2024 in Autumn Statement

The Government has given a commitment in today's Autumn Statement to maintain the differential between the main rate of fuel duty and the rate for road fuel gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane for 10 years. There is also a clear duty trajectory for LPG for the same period. The commitment will provide businesses with long-term certainty when considering investments in alternatively fuelled commercial and other vehicles.

Government seeking views on future for advanced, low carbon fuels

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a 'call for evidence' on advanced fuels; low carbon fuels produced using new technologies that can replace conventional fossil fuels.

Reports & Studies

New LowCVP study looks at air quality impacts of low carbon buses

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership commissioned a review of the air quality impacts arising from the recent rapid increase in the number of low carbon buses in the UK, a result of subsidies provided through the Government’s Green Bus Funds. 

Committee on Climate Change concludes that there is no basis to change 4th carbon budget (2023-27)

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has advised that there has been no change in the circumstances upon which the fourth carbon budget (2023 – 2027) was originally set in 2011 that would justify a lowering of ambition. If anything, the CCC says, the best available evidence points towards the need to tighten of the budget. It calls on the Government to confirm the budget as a matter of urgency to remove uncertainty around opportunities for low carbon investment.

Best Practice Principles for car marketing revised

Continuing in an effort to provide new car buyers with clear information, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and ISBA (the voice of British advertisers) have launched the revised Best Practice Principles for environmental claims in marketing. 

Energy experts call for re-think of UK's electricity network

Energy experts brought together by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) says that new ‘whole system’ thinking is needed for the power grid to meet complex new requirements resulting from decarbonisation, including the introduction of electric vehicles.

LowCVP News

LowCVP Workshop to provide feedback to OLEV call for evidence on ULEV uptake

The LowCVP held a workshop on 17 December to enable members to provide feedback on the current call for evidence via the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Announcing the call last month, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg invited stakeholders to submit innovative ideas on spending £500m to promote ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVS) to help the UK stay ahead of global competition and secure the country's position as global leader in this field. The LowCVP will be providing a summary of the feedback from the workshop to the government.

LowCVP kicks-off project focused on cutting carbon from the smallest (L Category) road vehicles

The LowCVP held a workshop in mid-December to kick-off a project on the options for cutting carbon emissions from smaller road vehicles including motorbikes, mopeds and quadricycles. The L Category workshop examined the carbon reduction potential from this growing market segment.

Industry News

British Gas and Nissan in UK's largest ever commercial electric vehicle trial

British Gas is to trial 28 all-electric Nissan e-NV200 vans in a six month winter test in partnership with Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Gateshead College.

£900k boost for electric vehicles in the North East

Over a hundred new jobs are to be created from five new low carbon technology initiatives in NE England to be supported by £900,000 from the Regional Growth Fund and the Collaborative Projects Fund. The projects include the development of software which will help EV owners calculate residual values and the total cost of ownership.

International Developments

China ramps up efforts to cut vehicle CO2 and local pollution; involved in supply of electric taxis and buses for London

The Chinese government has launched plans to promote the uptake of low carbon and alternatively-fuelled vehicles in twenty-eigtht urban areas across China. The plans include the provision of subsidies aimed particularly at government and public bodies and public transportation. Four national Government ministries have pledged their support for the project.

Events

Cleantech Innovate 2014

Cleantech Innovate is an annual showcase,  supported in 2014 through an award from LowCVP, which celebrates all that is great about green industry innovation in the UK in a unique one-day format. The 2014 event will be held on 13th February, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers premises at One Birdcage Walk, London, and this year’s 40 finalists have been selected from a field of 84 outstanding applications. There is an entry discount for LowCVP members.

Gaseous Fuels for Road Vehicles

This seminar will examine the application and use of gaseous fuels in vehicles.  Delegates will be able to explore the different types of gases that can be used as fuels, and gain an insight into the benefits gaseous fuels have over traditional liquid fuels.  What difference can they make to emissions, and C02 and fuel consumption?  How can they be applied to passenger and commercial vehicles? (Note: LowCVP member discounts)

LOWCVP OTHER FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Passenger Car Working Group, 16 January 2014, (EST, 21 Dartmouth Street, SW1). On the agenda: 2014-15 work programme; LowCVP Conference and Awards 2014; OLEV consultation and feedback; Car labelling research next steps; LowCVP van procurement guide; Best Practice Principles guidance. Members click here.
 
Fuels Working Group, 21 January 2014, (Department for Transport). On the agenda: 2014-15 work programme; Future Fuels scenarios and 'road-map'; Advanced biofuels; E10;  Members click here
 
LowCVP Board meeting, 30 January 2014 (Go-Ahead Group, SW1). On the agenda: 2014-15 work programme; LowCVP budget; Board elections; future strategy.  Members click here
 
Innovation Working Group, 6 February 2014, (BIS Centre, Victoria Street). On the agenda: 2014-15 work programme; LowCVP Conference and Awards; LowCVP new research - low carbon investment; L-Category vehicles; SME-University collaboration.  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.
 

LOWCVP NEW MEMBERS

NEWS-IN-BRIEF

» Government seeking views on a draft post implementation review of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

» New Chinese report that green taxes and renewables subsidies can drive economic growth

» Climate Action Programme report published alongside Warsaw CoP

» FTA calls on Government to incentivise the supply of biomethane (FTA news link)

» DECC announces £3m boost for energy storage innovation (Govt news link)

» Government says it has helped fund 8,600 electric vehicle chargepoints in UK in Parliamentary answer

» Howard Tenens rolls out dual fuel HGVs across its fleet (FTA news link)

» Stobarts and BOC open dedicated LNG refuelling station (TSB news link)

» Mary Barra becomes first female CEO at global automaker (Autoblog news link)

» China's top planning agency says climate change has cost the country over $30bn since 1990 (China CC link)

» Beijing to replace 80% of bus fleet with electric and gas buses by 2017 (China Daily link)

» Asda cuts fleet emissions by adding 50 duel-fuel vehicles (EDIE link)

» ACEA names Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, as its new President

» European Council adopts “Horizon 2020” EU's R&D programme for 2020 (Europa link)

» New rules announced for MOT to test for diesel particulate filter (Govt news link)

» TfL selects IER to manage Source London scheme

WISHING ALL OUR READERS A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND LOW CARBON 2014!

Join Now Follow us on Twitter Visit our extensive Resource Library

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

Unsubcribe from the LowCVP eNewsletter mailing list

All rights reserved © LowCVP 2013