Green light for LowCVP
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) believes 2016 could be the defining year for low carbon transport.
Its work programme for the next 12 months includes activities across the whole road transport sector as it strives towards it 2020 targets, which align with the UK’s Climate Change Act.
These include: five per cent of the new car market to be ULEVs; all new buses to meet the new Low Emission Bus criteria; five per cent of new commercial vehicles to be defined as low carbon; delivery of the maximum sustainable GHG saving through renewable transport energy.
To meet these aspirational objectives, the LowCVP’s 2016/17 priorities include the establishment of a market for accredited low carbon commercial vehicles, the facilitation of collaboration to break down the barriers to an ‘EV-ready powergrid’ and support for the creation of a UK market for low carbon ‘L-Category’ (micro) vehicles.
One key element of the new work programme includes providing consistent and accessible consumer information to clearly show the performance and cost/operating benefits of alternative models.
It also wants to produce a robust definition of a low carbon truck to establish potential ‘Green Truck’ programmes.
LowCVP also wants to build on its impressive work in the bus sector. It has played a leading role in establishing one of the most advanced low carbon bus markets in the world. Over 25% of new buses sold in 2015 were low carbon-accredited and this year it intends to further develop the Low Emission Bus (LEB) market.
It also wants to increase the renewable energy contribution from the UK transport fuels sector while continuing to work with the innovation community to identify low carbon solutions and opportunities for the small business sector.
LowCVP chairman Darran Messem said, ‘The Paris agreement has made it absolutely clear that the world is on a rapid carbon-cutting trajectory. The successful countries in this low carbon future will be those whose businesses, both large and small, embrace the opportunities and prepare for a decade of rapid change between 2020 and 2030.
‘We aim to continue doing everything possible to ensure the UK’s road transport community is best placed to seize and lead these opportunities.’
LowCVP’s managing director Andy Eastlake added, ‘The opportunity to engage in low carbon transport has never been greater or more diverse. Through our member’s commitment and support we aim to keep the UK transport community at the forefront of future developments and deliver on lower carbon and cleaner air.’
