Government publishes formal response to King Review of Low Carbon Cars
Wed 26 November 2008
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In its formal response to the King Review of Low Carbon Cars, the Government says that Professor King’s report provides grounds for optimism that major reductions in road transport emissions can be achieved in ways that are technologically feasible, affordable and publicly acceptable.
The Government's response says that road transport is the source of about 92 per cent of domestic transport CO2 emissions, so it is vital that we take steps to improve the environmental performance of road-based travel: " We intend to seize the opportunities a low-carbon transport sector represents. This will help the UK meet our greenhouse gas targets as set out in the Climate Change Bill and benefit the UK economy more widely".
The Government responds in detail to each of the 40 recommendations in the King Report.
It agrees with King that electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can potentially make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and says that it is developing a work programme to examine the impacts in more detail.
On fuel economy labels, the Government says it is looking into the potential to extend these into the second-and car market and will be working with organisations including the LowCVP to review the potential next steps.
The Government does not favour King's proposal for the introduction of colour-coded tax discs according to cars' emissions performance. The response says that their introduction could be confusing, add to DVLA costs and 'stigmatise' people using less fuel efficient cars.
On car advertising, the Government does not intend to follow King's recommendation to take forward work in this area in advance of European negotiations. King had proposed that regulation of vehicle advertising should be strengthened so that information on CO2 emissions and fuel economy is presented in a more prominent and consistent form across all media and that the DfT should establish an advisory group to take this forward.
The Government's response does, however, refer to support for LowCVP, SMMT and other stakeholder initiatives to clarify existing advertising rules and practices and to help manufacturers better understand them.
The Government supports King's proposal to develop and reinforce the 'Act on CO2' campaign. The LowCVP is working with the DfT to stimulate stakeholder engagement in this area. (See associated link.)
The full details of the Government's responses to the King Review are accessible through the associated link.
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