Today sees the launch of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), a new advisory and action body to promote the shift to clean low carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK, hosted by broadcaster Sue MacGregor at the Lewis Media Centre, Millbank.
Science Ministers Lord Sainsbury and Transport Minister David Jamieson MP will be joining leading representatives from the automotive industry, energy and fuel industry, consumer, research and environmental bodies, the Carbon Trust and EST at the launch.
The ministers speak alongside Graham Smith, Managing Director of Toyota (GB) PLC, Roger Higman, Climate Change Campaigner of Friends of the Earth, and Prof Jim Skea, Policy Studies Institute Director and LowCVP Launch Director. There will be low carbon vehicles on display outside the launch venue.
LowCVP will provide a forum for all stakeholders to work together on the UK's shift to low carbon transport. It will have an important input to Government. It will shape advice to the Ministerial Low Carbon Group in carrying through the Government's Powering Future Vehicles strategy to deliver lower carbon dioxide emissions and air quality improvements from road transport in the UK.
Transport Minister David Jamieson said:
"The Government is committed to making the UK a leader in the global shift
to clean, efficient, low-carbon transport - to help the environment, improve
our quality of life, reduce the cost of motoring, and build a competitive advantage
for the UK's auto industries. We're driving this forward through tax incentives
for cleaner, low carbon vehicles and fuels and through regulatory measures at
a European level including the Euro Emission standards which have been enormously
successful in reducing air quality emissions from new cars.
"But Government measures by themselves are not enough and it is essential that we secure the engagement of industry and other stakeholders. I fully support the establishment of the Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership which will have an important role in delivering the Government's Powering Future Vehicles strategy."
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury said:
"Road transport contributes 85 per cent of all carbon emitted by the transport
sector. The Government is committed to the UK becoming a leading player in reducing
carbon from our environment, and creating a new competitive edge for the British
manufacturing industry in the development of new technologies to reduce this
figure. We have set a number of targets for the numbers of low carbon vehicles
sold in 2012. This, coupled with the calibre of LowCVP membership, I am sure
will make these targets a reality."
Graham Smith, Managing Director of Toyota (GB) Plc, said:
"The motor industry and its partners in industry, academia, NGOs, consumer
groups and government fully support today's launch of the Low Carbon Vehicle
Partnership. The motor industry has made significant progress in reducing the
emissions from motor vehicles. If we are to shift to a clean, low carbon economy,
however, we must work together to put in place the necessary framework. I am
delighted, therefore, to serve as the first Chairman of the LowCVP and to help
work towards this goal".
Roger Higman, Climate Change Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"The recent floods were yet another warning of the damage dangerous climate
change will wreak havoc on our lives and livelihoods. Limiting the damage is
going to mean big cuts in emissions from all industrial sectors. Transport must
play its part too - through more efficient vehicles and by cutting our use of
the car and lorry.
"That's why we welcome the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. There's enormous potential to cut emissions - and ultimately to eliminate them altogether. But realising that potential will require joint action from Government and industry - action the Partnership will be best placed to inspire."
Professor Jim Skea (PSI), LowCVP Launch Director, said:
"I am delighted that we are launching the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
today. LowCVP has a key role to play in taking forward the low carbon transport
agenda in the UK. The positive response the Partnership has already had from
the automotive industry, transport operators and other stakeholders has been
very gratifying. I invite any organisation or individual with a stake in low
carbon transport to log on to our website, www.lowcvp.org.uk, learn more about
the Partnership and submit their expression of interest to take part in LowCVP."
Notes to editors:
1. The low carbon vehicles on display at the LowCVP launch are a Rover 75 Saloon (LPG), a Honda Civic IMA (Hybrid), a Toyota Prius (Petrol-Electric Hybrid), a Ford Focus Flex Fuel (Ethanol) and a Vauxhall Vectra Club (LPG). Many of the vehicles on display are on the TransportEnergy PowerShift Register held by the Energy Saving Trust, and are eligible for the 100% congestion charging discount in London and a PowerShift grant at purchase.
2. Prof Jim Skea is Director of the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and has been appointed by Government to launch LowCVP by end of March 2003. Jim led the environment sub-group of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team. He is being assisted by Konstanze Scharring, who is on secondment from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
3. LowCVP will advise government on progress towards the targets set in the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy (July 2002): By 2012, 10 % of all new cars will be emitting 100g/km CO2 or less at the tailpipe. 600 or more buses coming into operation per year will be low carbon, defined as 30 per cent below current average carbon emissions. (www.roads.dft.gov.uk/cv/power/pdf/strategy.pdf)
4. LowCVP also builds on the work of the Department of Trade and Industry's Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (AIGT) (www.dti.gov.uk/automotive/aigt-execsummary.pdf )
5. The Partnership's tasks are:
Immediate tasks for the Partnership will be to advise government on setting targets for ultra low carbon cars in 2020, and targets for manufacturing and the supply chains for low carbon vehicles.
6. The LowCVP website is available at www.lowcvp.org.uk.
LowCVP Press contacts:
Konstanze Scharring, Assistant Director, LowCVP Launch Team: 020 7344 9217
Nelleke van Helfteren, Head of Communications, PSI: 020 7468 2228