LowCVP project activity - update
Wed 15 December 2010
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The LowCVP is working in several key areas to help accelerate the low carbon shift. Current priorities include: low carbon HGVs; local transport authorities and low carbon buses; light commercial and vans purchasing behaviour; car buyer attitudes and behaviour.
Current LowCVP projects include:
Accelerating the market for low carbon HGVs
The LowCVP is developing recommendations for the Department for Transport on how to accelerate the take-up of low carbon technologies in the HGV market. Key issues identified by the LowCVP’s Commercial Vehicles Group include:
• The need to make low carbon technologies more commercially attractive to small and medium-sized fleets operating in a very competitive market with low margins requiring fast return on investment.
• Helping HGV operators evaluate HGVs and low carbon technologies and their impact on fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
• The need to establish standards for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for HGVs while avoiding making the cost of testing prohibitive for manufacturers.
• Proposing measures to close the gap between government planning cuts in carbon emissions over a 10 year timeframe, while HGV fleets have a shorter planning focus despite buying vehicles which will be in service for a decade or more.
The LowCVP has drafted a set of recommendations and a response is expected from the DfT in the new year. Details of the LowCVP’s recommendations can be found on the LowCVP website members area (ref: BOARD-P-10-31 accessible to LowCVP members only - password required) .
LowCVP empowering local transport authorities to encourage low carbon buses
The LowCVP, working with the DfT, transport authorities and manufacturers, has delivered a robust definition of a low carbon bus based on real-world performance. LowCVP has worked with the DfT to devise incentives through the Bus Service Operators Grant and the Green Bus Fund to encourage their take-up. As a direct result orders for an additional 500 low carbon buses have been placed in the UK during the last year.
The LowCVP is now developing a tool-kit to help empower local transport authorities to further develop the market for low carbon buses in their regions. The tool-kit will exploit the new powers introduced in the Local Transport Act 2009 to allow local transport authorities to influence the provision of bus services in their area. Work in this area is on-going and is expected to be completed by early 2011.
Further details of this work can be found by visiting the LowCVP website members area (Ref: BWG-P-10-21 - accessible to members only via password).
For more information on low carbon emission buses in the UK visit the LowCVP’s dedicated micro-site.
LowCVP investigating van procurement and purchasing behaviour
Vans are an increasingly important source of CO2 emissions, with van traffic forecast to grow 63% by 2025.
The LowCVP is launching a study of the van market, focusing initially on the marketing, procurement and purchasing behaviour of van buyers. This will be followed up in a second phase with an investigation of how best and most appropriately to encourage van buyers to select a light commercial vehicle fit for purpose and with low CO2 emissions.
This builds upon the work of the Partnership in the earlier van CO2 study. The project will make recommendations on the form activity should take to encourage the purchase of fit-for-purpose low carbon vans in the UK. While focusing on the UK, the study will help deepen the understanding of this important area across Europe.
The LowCVP is currently undertaking a range of other projects grouped under the following themes:
- Incentivising and informing lower carbon choices for cars
- Building the market for lower carbon commercial and public service vehicles (HGVs, buses and vans)
- Facilitating the creation of a successful UK supply chain for low carbon vehicle and fuel technologies
- Tackling market barriers to the use of lower carbon fuels
- Pathways and progress to low carbon transport
- Enhancing stakeholder knowledge and understanding
To find out more about any of LowCVP's work activities, please visit the website or contact the secretariat: secretariat@lowcvp.org.uk or call 020 3178 7859. Details of how to join the LowCVP are available through the associated links.
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