LowCVP's History

A brief history of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership

2010

• The LowCVP runs low carbon transport seminars at major sustainability events: base 2010 (London) and SustainAbilitylive! (Birmingham)
• The LowCVP runs successful Low Carbon Community Challenge which encourages voluntary-sector and other low carbon transport initiatives to take place at local level
•  The first LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards held in collaboration with WhatCar? Green Awards at Twickenham Stadium
• The LowCVP launches a colour-coded Used Car Fuel Economy Label following the success of the similar new car label which is now displayed in over 90% of dealerships
• The LowCVP plays a strong supporting role in the delivery of DfT's Green Bus Fund 1 and 2 which are accelerating the introduction of low carbon buses to the UK 
• Series of LowCVP webinars (on-line seminars) begins, helping to demonstrate how to conduct useful conferences and seminars without travelling 
• The LowCVP runs HGV Technology Challenge which is successful in gaining good entries based on a wide range of carbon-cutting technologies for the heavy goods sector 

2009

• The Government announces that the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is to be reformed. The reforms reflect advice provided by the LowCVP
• Director and Chairman meet with Transport and Treasury Secretaries
• The LowCVP holds a Parliamentary lunch for MPs and senior LowCVP stakeholders
• Engaging with Investors website launched
• April 2009: The LowCVP becomes a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee
• The LowCVP runs successful Technology Challenge which brings together small technology developers and car manufacturers
• The LowCVP collaborates with DfT in setting up Green Bus Fund which leads to £30m orders, mainly for hybrid and pure electric buses
• Launch of Used Car Fuel Economy label (similar to new car label) facilitated by the LowCVP; introduction to car showrooms begins
• The LowCVP publishes study into use of biomethane in heavy duty vehicles
• The LowCVP begins series of online webinars enabling discussions on low carbon issues while reducing the need to travel 

2008

• Decision taken for Partnership members to own LowCVP
• LowCVP hosts successful 5th Annual Conference
• Successful collaboration at Climate Clinic during party conferences
• European COMPRO project adopt LowCVP low carbon bus procurement specification
• Advertising survey shows shift in advertising to low carbon vehicles
• LowCVP Survey shows 91% of new car dealers now display energy efficiency label
• Director completes secondment to Renewable Fuels Agency to co-author Gallagher Review
• The Partnership and DfT appoint a consultant to work as 'Act on CO2' stakeholder relations manager
• LowCVP gives evidence to Environmental Audit Committee Labelling Inquiry
• Director appointed to the Board of the Renewable Fuels Agency and RTFO Carbon & Sustainability
• Reporting Guidance submitted to Government

2007

• The LowCVP submits input to the Low Carbon Transport Innovation Strategy (January).
• New LowCVP website launched (February).
• The LowCVP launches 'Cars not Carbon; The LowCVP Marketing Challenge' (February). 
• LowCVP holds succesfully annual conference on the marketing and advetising of low carbon vehicles (June)
• LowCVP passes 250 member organisations (July)
• Strategic plan 2007-10 agreed.
• LowCVP provides input to EAC inquiries into the sustainability of biofuels and environmental labelling (November)
• LowCVP organises seminars for the King Review
• LowCVP guides the development of DfT Public Procurement Programme
  
• LowCVP provides evidence to EAC labelling inquiry
  

2006

• Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technology (CENEX) launched following agreement through LowCVP R&D and Supply Chain Working Groups.
• The Government announces that sustainability reporting will form part of requirements for biofuels introduction under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. The LowCVP appoints a project manager to lead on work to develop reporting requirements.
  
• Winners of the LowCVP's Low Carbon Road Transport 'Challenge' announced and proposals presented at the Annual Conference (June).
• The LowCVP provides evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry (Reducing Carbon Emissions from Transport) and the EC's Review of the Biofuels Directive.
• The Partnership provides input to the Department for Transport review of the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy.
• The LowCVP's Steering Group membership is revised to widen participation.
• The Partnership's Memorandum of Understanding is revised and membership commitments and principles are established.
• The LowCVP membership passes 200 organisations (July).
• The LowCVP enters discussions about broadening the Partnership's remit to encompass the 'integrated approach' to cutting carbon from the road transport sector. A project manager (secondment) appointed to lead investigation into potential future role for the LowCVP.
  

2005 

• The colour-coded fuel economy label is launched at the LowCVP's second annual conference by the Secretary of State for Transport (February).
• The LowCVP completes consumer research into the barriers to purchase of low carbon vehicles.
• Low carbon buses delivered to support proposed grant programme.
• Strategic plan 2005-7 agreed.
• The LowCVP carries out detailed work to assess the feasibility of introducing sustainability standards and greenhouse gas certification as part of the proposed Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
• Roll out of new car fuel economy label begins (July). Initial survey shows 73% of dealers displaying labels.

2004

• The LowCVP holds its first Annual Conference/General Meeting in London.
• The LowCVP publishes a major study on well-to-wheel carbon emissions for bioethanol produced from wheat. Study shows greenhouse gas benefits can vary significantly across different production pathways.
• Negotiations begin on the introduction of a colour-coded fuel economy label for new cars.
• Greg Archer appointed Director (September).
• The LowCVP membership exceeds 150 organisations.
• The LowCVP provides guidance to the Government on the proposed TransportEnergy grant programmes and the future of the Voluntary Agreements.
  

2003

• The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is established.  Senior representatives of organisations with a stake in the low carbon road transport agenda are appointed to the Board. Graham Smith, Toyota UK Managing Director, is appointed as Chair. A small secretariat based in central London coordinates the Partnership's activities, led by David Wallis.
• The Energy White Paper  (2003) refers to the earlier Powering Future Vehicles Strategy in terms of road transport's contribution to climate change mitigation.
• Planning for a Centre of Automotive Excellence in Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technology commences.

2002

The Government publishes the Powering Future Vehicles (PFV) Strategy which outlines official targets and policies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the UK's road transport sector. The establishment of a stakeholder partnership - the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership - is an important part of the strategy and is intended to provide a structure through which to accelerate the shift to low carbon vehicles and fuels. Launch Director, Jim Skea, is appointed.