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, has launched its website. www.lowcvp.org.uk outlines the mission to shape UK policy and action on mainstream low carbon motoring through a partnership of industry, Government, the academic research community, NGOs and consumers.
Professor Jim Skea, Director of the Policy Studies Institute and LowCVP Launch Director, said: 'I am delighted to launch www.lowcvp.org.uk today. LowCVP has a key role to play in taking forward the low carbon agenda in relation to vehicle technology and road transport fuels in the UK. Our website gives all our potential partners the information they need on our tasks and how to get involved in this important partnership. I am inviting any organisation or individual with a stake in this agenda to log on to www.lowcvp.org.uk and get in touch with us.'
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, fostering markets for cleaner buses, and targets for the supply chain for low carbon vehicles.
LowCVP will play a key role in carrying through the Government's Powering Future Vehicles strategy (July 2002) (www.roads.dft.gov.uk/cv/power/pdf/strategy.pdf). It 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 )
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership will be officially launched in London on 16 January 2003 and will provide a forum for stakeholders from the automotive sector, energy and fuel industry, consumer, research and environmental bodies, the Carbon Trust, EST and Government to work together on the UK's shift to low carbon transport. It will have an important input to Government and shape advice to the Ministerial Low Carbon Group (DfT, DEFRA, HM Treasury, DTI, Cabinet Office).
Notes to editors:
1. 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 AIGT environment sub-group.
2. He is being assisted by Konstanze Scharring, who is on secondment from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) where she works as Policy Manager.
3. LowCVP will advise government on progress towards the 2012 targets set in the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy: 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.
LowCVP Press contacts:
Konstanze Scharring, Assistant Director, LowCVP Launch Team: 020 7344 9217
Nelleke van Helfteren, Head of Communications, PSI: 020 7468 0468