The Institution’s latest theme report is Low Carbon Vehicles: Driving the UK’s transport revolution. It makes recommendations to government about how with joined up policy-making, low carbon technology powered by renewable energy can be implemented to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector, making the most of the UK’s world-class reputation for research and development in this field.
Living with our fossil habit
Technological advances in Western society over the last 100 years have led to an exponential increase in energy use, mostly by burning fossil fuels which are an affordable convenient, readily accessible source of power with a high specific energy density. The downside is that this has led to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: currently just under 390 parts per million. Scientists believe that levels must be limited to 450ppm to keep the planet habitable with an average temperature rise of less than 2ºC, but with global economic growth and industrialisation continuing to rise, urgent action has to be taken now to reduce future CO2 emissions.
Steering towards a cleaner transport sector
The UK Government has introduced a number of legally binding targets that aim to reduce the nation’s CO2 emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. The UK’s transport sector accounts for almost 24% of the nation’s CO2 emissions. Of this total, road vehicles (cars, HGVs and LGVs) account for nearly 80%, so there is a need for alternative methods to power them. Technological solutions will all play their part. However, to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions, the transport sector will need much more stringent targets to be set. It is the view of the Institution that the UK government needs to go beyond the recent European Union standards, and set the achievable target vehicle feet maximum of 30g/km limit by 2050.
Powering the future
A range of incentives to encourage the consumer to purchase electric or hybrid vehicles have recently been announced. These, combined with the introduction of a limited electric-car charging network, mean that the ways and means of how to generate power for the nation’s new non-fossil fuel fleet needs urgent attention, and joined-up Government thinking. The benefits in electric-powered vehicles being charged by fossil fuel generated electricity is substantially reduced compared to using renewable energy sources.
Living in the world of tomorrow – UK Research and Development
Employing 850,000 people, with a turnover of £50bn and producing some 1.5 million cars annually, the UK’s automotive sector has a global reputation for research and development, design engineering and manufacturing. We also have a world-class science and research base and a superb reputation for innovation. Two independent centres of excellence are already established, with CENEX addressing low carbon technologies and fuel cells and innovITS researching intelligent transport systems.
Our strengths are clearly demonstrated by the success of our F1 engineers with many of their innovations transferable to the commercial market. The Government is already funding 16 innovative new projects through its £23m Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform and has recently announced that this will be increased to £40m but is this enough? We believe that this still falls well short of what is required if we are to achieve the Prime Minister’s stated aim of making the UK Europe’s capital for electric cars.
Recommendations
In response to these challenges, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has developed the following recommendations for Government, industry and other key stakeholders.
Demonstrate political leadership and joined-up thinking
1 We believe that with transport emissions actually increasing with the size of feet and increased mileage, the current EU emissions targets for average feet emissions (95g/km by 2050) falls well short of what is actually required. We consider that a maximum of 30g/km by 2050 is both necessary and achievable.
2 That Government introduce a policy framework linking the increase use of low carbon vehicle technologies with an increased generation of electricity from renewable sources. Powering electric cars from fossil fuel power stations will only move the problem from one sector to another. Any increase in LCV numbers should be matched by revisions in the renewable energy targets.
3 That the Government continues to develop incentives for the consumer to adopt low carbon vehicles. In addition, the Institution believes that a long-term education campaign of LCV technology should be undertaken to inform the public of the range, value and feasibility of these technologies.
4 That the Government sets targets and a policy framework, in line with EU regulation, for an electric car charging network throughout the UK, including battery replacement stations. A standardisation of batteries would enable this network to have a viable, long-term future.
Industry development and funding
5 That all UK-based automotive manufacturers take full advantage of the EIB £1.3 billion loan scheme for the development of future LCV technologies.
6 As an example to the nation, Government, as a major purchaser of vehicles, should adopt a policy of only purchasing low carbon vehicles were there clear emission gains. It’s purchasing power will help stimulate demand for these technologies and encourage further research and development.
7 That the Government looks to toughen the new £2,000 car scrappage scheme to apply only to the purchase of new vehicles with emissions below the feet average targets. Furthermore, the Government’s proposed £5,000 subsidies for electric or hybrid cars to be brought forward to 2010 to help stimulate the green motoring revolution.