A new guide from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership for fleet operators shows how renewable fuels can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions in road transport, particularly from commercial vehicles for which few low emission solutions are currently available. While the focus has been mainly on vehicle electrification for meeting the UK’s net zero target as it applies to road transport, … [Read more...]
Fleets need to prepare for EV charge in demand
Fleets of all sizes will need support through a potential “sudden 2020 influx” of electric vehicles that is likely to create a vacuum of expertise, says FleetCheck. The fleet software specialist says that the new zero per cent benefit-in-kind tax rate, the availability of a wider range of models and the momentum created by the Government’s 2035 announcement are all creating a dramatic upsurge in … [Read more...]
Car makers call on Government to back drive to evs
It’s extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue as ending traditional vehicle sales in 15 years, said the motor manufacturers body. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said,“Manufacturers are fully invested in a zero emissions future, with some 60 plug-in models now on the market and 34 more coming in 2020. “However, … [Read more...]
Gas fuels can help green drive, say makers
Renewable gas products to fuel vehicles can contribute to lower emissions drive by legislators, say manufacturers. The European Biogas Association, the Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association are calling on EU policy makers to accelerate the deployment of infrastructure to deliver natural gas and renewable gas/biomethane across the European … [Read more...]
15-times more chargers needed
Some 3 million public charging points will be needed for 44 million electric vehicles in 2030 if the EU is to become climate neutral by 2050, shows new research by green campaign and research group Transport & Environment. That’s over 15 times the 185,000 public chargers currently available in the EU – which are enough for the current electric fleet but not to keep pace with the growing … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo S60 T8 plug-in hybrid
The new Volvo S60 premium mid-sized saloon range was introduced in the Spring of this year and its arrival heralded two important moves, says David Miles. Firstly it is the first modern day Volvo car range not to include a diesel engine. Secondly it is the first model to be built in Volvo’s US manufacturing facility in Charleston South Carolina continuing the brand’s rapid expansion … [Read more...]
New lower emissions challenge when making EVs
As electric vehicles start to become mainstream and the contribution of renewable energy to the electricity grid grows, by 2030 over 70% of CO2 emissions from typical new road vehicles could arise during the production – rather than use – phase of the life cycle of a typical vehicle. Consequently, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) is calling for the development and introduction of a … [Read more...]
Plug-in hybrids powering up sales
The number of plug-in electric cars on British roads grew by three quarters last year, according to new Motorparc by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK’s largest automotive analysis shows there is now a record 195,410 plug-in vehicles on our roads, reflecting the growing choice of models now on offer. Overall ownership of alternatively fuelled vehicles increased by … [Read more...]
“Smog thinking” by councils will make emissions worse
Clean Air Zones are unfairly targeting hauliers and pricing trucks off the road and are not the way to reduce emissions, says a coalition of road transport trade bodies. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA), Freight Transport Association (FTA) and National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), are concerned that local authorities are … [Read more...]
Car makers’ concern ‘green drive’ is too ambitious
A study by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says affordability of electric cars remains a strong deterrent for customers across the EU. The analysis, which compares national data on the market uptake of electrically-chargeable vehicles (ECVs) with GDP per capita, shows that the market share of ECVs is close to 0% in countries with a GDP below €18,000, while it is no more than … [Read more...]