GreenFleet

The package of low carbon vehicle initiatives outlined by government is a significant step in supporting the motor industry’s continued investment in cleaner technology. It is important for UK industry and government to continue to invest in a range of technologies to reduce CO2 from transport so that society’s mobility needs are met in a sustainable way.

Investing in technology
At a time of economic downturn the Society of Motor Manufacturers believes that it is even more important for UK industry and government to continue to invest in the technologies and skills of the future. We need to bring together business, academia and user groups to maximise the benefits of the low carbon economy, building on and developing our existing strengths and R&D capabilities.
    
The automotive industry is committed to continue achieving significant and sustained reductions in CO2 emissions. Car manufacturers have cut average new car CO2 emissions by their biggest ever margin, reducing emissions by 3.8 per cent over the first nine months of 2008. The average new car now emits just 158.6g/km, down from 164.9g/km at the end of 2007 and 16.4 per cent down on the 189.8g/km base in 1997.
    
In 2007, the energy needed to produce each vehicle is down 12 per cent, water use is down 9 per cent and waste to landfill is down 25 per cent, compared to 2006 performance. CO2 emissions per vehicle produced have fallen 14 per cent in the last year, and by 45 per cent since 1999 and almost 10,000 tonnes of waste have been prevented from entering landfill sites.
    
Industry is working on a portfolio of technologies that include further improvement in conventional petrol and diesel powertrains, as well as a variety of electric, hybrid and fuel cell capabilities. It is important that the UK continues to attract investment into lower carbon vehicle research, development and demonstration too.

Affordable prices
This range of technologies will deliver low-carbon vehicles at affordable prices to consumers. It is an important area that requires continued funding through the current economic difficulties. SMMT urges government not to promote one specific technology as the answer and to consider all implications and limitations involved.  
    
All major players in the automotive sector work – and will have to continue to work – on the development of different technologies, drive trains, structures and materials, and fuels that will all contribute and deliver attractive low carbon solutions at affordable prices to consumers over the short, medium and long term.
    
There can be no doubt that in the short to medium term the internal combustion (IC) engine will continue to dominate and develop. Packaged with other near-to-market technologies, like stop-start technology, optimised gear ratios and aerodynamics and light-weighting, and the use of sustainable biofuels, advanced IC engines will deliver substantial CO2 savings. Progress through super efficient IC engines will be supported by increasing hybridisation and electrification of vehicles.

Decarbonise transport
In order to decarbonise the road transport industry, research communities and government in the UK should develop an integrated strategy for low carbon vehicle technology. Energy and fuels, and skills, underpinned by a supportive, long-term regulatory, fiscal and planning framework, will make the UK the location of choice for development, demonstration and marketing of low carbon vehicles and fuels of the future. The decarbonisation of road transport by 2050 needs an integrated approach by industry, government and wider society.
    
By 2030 the prospect of widespread adoption of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles as well as some hydrogen fuel cell or hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) vehicles could see CO2 emissions per vehicle halved. The aspiration of an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 from vehicles will critically depend on progress in decarbonising the fuel and power sector, providing low carbon electricity, hydrogen and advanced biofuels that will underpin any extensive uptake of electric and hydrogen powered cars.
    
There are no short cuts or silver bullets in this story. The portfolio approach is necessary, and industry strongly believes that the agreed focus of government support and R&D by industry and the research community should be on ‘low carbon’ over a vehicle life cycle, rather than picking and promoting one specific vehicle technology over another as it might fall out of favour in the future as our knowledge of its implications or limitations expands.

Van emissions
SMMT is currently in discussion with the Department for Transport (DfT) to make meaningful information on CO2 emissions from vans more readily available to the public. The DfT wants this to happen in two stages, starting with general information about how to choose the right vehicle for the intended task and how to drive it in the most efficient manner. We have developed a user-friendly designed handout and now want to explore the most effective method of distributing it.
     
The second stage involves a searchable database, allowing van buyers to establish the tailpipe CO2 emissions from vans they are interested in acquiring. All vehicle manufacturers are working with DfT to help to populate this with meaningful data, and we are working to the DfT's timescale. The allocation of £20 million for a low-carbon van procurement programme is also welcomed by industry.