LowCVP Conference includes ministerial announcements, top speakers, introduces new initiatives
Tue 05 July 2016
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Around 160 delegates attended the LowCVP's 2016 Annual Conference where the transport minister Andrew Jones announced new schemes to encourage the introduction of cleaner, greener vans and lorries.Held at Here East in the Olympic Park, London, delegates also heard from the new Deputy Mayor for Transport in London, Val Shawcross, about plans to reduce emissions in the capital, including the possible introduction of a £10 Emissions Surcharge (dubbed the 'T-Charge') on the most polluting vehicles.
The transport minister announced that up to £19 million will be available to support the freight industry’s efforts to help fleets of commercial vehicles get access the very latest in innovative low and zero emission vehicle technologies. The funding will be available for applications from small local delivery firms as well large distribution HGV fleets.
Part of the funding will also go towards new alternative fuel infrastructure such as electric vehicle chargepoints with competition opening for bids this month.
The minister also announced a new HGV accreditation scheme, developed by LowCVP members, which will also support the introduction of lower carbon, fuel saving commercial vehicle technology.
The Conference featured a session on the potential impacts of automated and connected vehicles on carbon and other emissions. Focusing on work by ITS Leeds, the session included feedback on the study by leading stakeholders in the field.
Opening the Conference Michael Jacobs of ippr, a leading climate policy commentator, said that the implications of 'Brexit' on the low carbon agenda are uncertain but that the agenda will continue to be driven by the 2008 Climate Act which is a legally binding commitment for the UK regardless of the country's status vis-a-vis the EU.
Michael Jacobs said that in the current uncertain political environment, the Government is looking for areas where it can provide policy certainty. He said that the early, and somewhat unexpected, announcement of the Government's acceptance of the Fifth Carbon Budget the same day (see related story) was, perhaps, an example of this taking place.
Offering the afternoon keynote speech, the new Deputy Mayor for Transport in London, Val Shawcross, said that the new administration will be proactive in tackling emissions, particularly those contributing to poor air quality. She said that there would be a particular focus on tackling emissions from buses and proposals for the introduction of a new emissions surcharge ('T-charge') on the most polluting vehicles entering central London from 2017.
Concluding his speech at the Conference, Andrew Jones MP said: "It’s been a great few years for ultra low emission vehicles. This Partnership deserves great credit. Whatever the political ups and downs…I know the industry will go from strength to strength.
"So keep working together; keep innovating; keep improving our air quality and keep cutting carbon. You’ve got the government’s full support."
For access to all the pictures, presentations, press releases, a highlights videos (plus videos of the full speeches of the minister, deputy mayor and Michael Jacobs) and other information about this year's LowCVP Conference, please visit the event web page.
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