Season's Greetings and 2018 review
Wed 19 December 2018
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As Christmas approaches, it's a time to reflect on what has been another busy and eventful year for the low carbon vehicle agenda. Against the backdrop of the publication of the Government's Road to Zero strategy, the LowCVP has launched several new initiatives and celebrated the Partnership's 15th anniversary at a packed reception in the Houses of Parliament.
In March, the LowCVP's 15th anniversary was celebrated with a House of Commons reception. At the reception, LowCVP announced the engagement of leading organisations in the finance/leasing sector, published a review of the main policy developments and stages of progress in cutting road transport emissions over the last fifteen years.
Alongside the event, the Partnership also welcomed the commitment to a multi-year funding agreement from the DfT, reinforcing the valuable role and support of the LowCVP and its members in meeting the Government's objectives.
March also saw the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, speak at the LowCVP's 'Moving North' Conference which also featured leading speakers from the Northern Powerhouse community at an event focused on the future of greener transport in the North and on the potential business opportunities for the region.
In May the LowCVP - working on a project commissioned by Innovate with partners TRL and Millbrook - announced the launch of a new testing process for trucks to help pave the way towards an effective future freight emissions strategy. The LowCVP has developed a new testing process specifically for the purpose of developing the evidence base around new CVs and define a new category of Ultra Low Emission Trucks.
Shortly after the announcement of the Government's Road to Zero strategy in July, the the LowCVP's Annual Conference, focused on 'People, Policy or Product - How far can consumers take the drive to zero emissions?".
The announcement of a new Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce in September was made at the Prime Minister's Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in Birmingham, billed as a 'world first'. The EV Energy Taskforce (or EVET) will, for the first time, bring together the energy and automotive industries to plan for the changes that will take place as a result of rising electric vehicle use. The rise of electric and plug-in vehicles will create challenges and exciting new opportunities for the rapidly evolving UK electricity supply system.
September saw the LowCVP participate with other government-associated agencies in the 'Government Pavilion' at the ever-growing Low Carbon Vehicle Event, held at Millbrook. LowCVP also showcased some of the best examples of low emission freight technology at the Low Emission Truckstop The Partnership also published a new report on life-cycle assessment "Why bigger isn't always better; matching battery size with use is crucial for the environment".
In partnership with Energy Saving Trust, the LowCVP launched a new freight portal to complement other work to limit truck emissions and support The Road to Zero freight industry commitment.
Also in September (a particularly busy month) the Partnership welcomed the announcement of up to £2.5 million Government funding being made available to increase the range of vehicle retrofit technologies capable of cutting emissions from larger road vehicles already in use. The funding is based on the work of LowCVP in developing the CV Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS).
A new guide to low emission taxis was launched by the LowCVP in October. Published in collaboration with Energy Saving Trust, the Low Emission Taxi Guide provides best practice examples in terms of policy development and technology choices.
Also during October, LowCVP members collaborated in a 'green diesel' HVO coach trial. Later in the same month, the Partnership worked with Transport for London (TfL) to create one unified bus test through the national Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) accreditation scheme, streamlining market access for manufacturers of clean, low carbon buses. The use of the same test enables manufactures to test a vehicle once and for it to be eligible for use in both London market as well as qualifying for national grant schemes.
During November, the LowCVP announced the establishment of a Road Transport Emissions Advisory Group (RTEAG) to help improve understanding and coordinate consumer messages, thus smoothing the pathway for all the new policies, information and regulations that are coming into play – such as the new WLTP fuel economy and emission test, new fuels and labelling, clean air zones and changes to vehicle taxation in 2020.
In early December, the LowCVP's Managing Director took part in the high-level Sustainable Innovation Forum, held in Katowice alongside COP24, the world climate summit which focused on measures to enact the high level agreements between nations on climate which were reached at the 2015 Paris summit.
We end the year with a strengthened role and links to a wide variety of Westminster departments (DEFRA, DfT, OLEV, HMT, BEIS, JAQU) and increasing presence across the UK, particularly supporting ambitious plans in Scotland and the growing low carbon vehicle focus in Wales.
Membership expands with the broader agenda, as transport, energy and community coalesce around the climate change and clean air imperatives. The need for effective Partnerships grows ever stronger and the LowCVP is now developing plans for the next stages on the Road to Zero!
Season's Greetings and best wishes for 2019 to all LowCVP members and newsletter subscribers!
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