Reducing road transport greenhouse gas emissions
The vast majority of the UK’s domestic transport emissions arise from road transport, particularly from cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The Department is working with stakeholders to reduce emissions from road transport by encouraging improvements to the fuel efficiency of vehicles and the take up of sustainable biofuels.
To help achieve the Governments long term carbon reduction goals the Government has announced provision of over £400 million to support measures designed to promote uptake of the next-generation of ultra-low emission vehicle technologies, which is managed by the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles.
The Department is also working with the freight industry to facilitate the uptake of industry-led schemes which improve the fuel efficiency of HGVs.
- reducing commercial vehicle emissions
- van CO2 and fuel consumption database
- biofuels
- find new cars using car fuel data, CO2 and vehicle tax tools
Sustainable local transport
At a local level DfT is providing £560m of funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, to support sustainable travel measures that help promote economic growth and cut carbon.
The Department also provides investment of over £46m to support the introduction of more than 500 new low-carbon buses to bus companies and local authorities across England.
Greener driving
The Department develops and delivers measures to encourage motorists and car buyers to reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Ultra-low emission vehicles
In the longer term, ultra-low emission vehicles are likely to have an important role in reducing emissions. The Government has introduced an extensive programme of support for ultra-low emission vehicles with funding provision of over £400m over the life of the current Parliament.
Fuel economy labelling for new and old cars
Fuel economy labels display a car’s fuel consumption, an estimate of annual fuel costs, and the level of CO2 emissions. The labels also include a consumer-friendly colour coded indication of the car’s CO2 emissions and the corresponding rate of Vehicle Excise Duty payable.
Passenger car fuel economy guide
The Department and the Vehicle Certification Agency produce an annual guide to the fuel economy of all new passenger car models on the market. Data is also searchable online.
- find fuel consumption and emissions information on a new or used car
- find new cars by fuel economy
- find new cars using car fuel data, CO2 and vehicle tax tools
- annual car fuel and emissions information since 2000
Eco-driving advice
The Department works with industry partners to produce practical advice to consumers and businesses on reducing CO2 emissions through the use of fuel efficient driving techniques (eco-driving). These techniques include changing to a higher gear as early as possible, and driving smoothly to minimise sharp acceleration and braking.
