LowCVP calls for changes in carbon impact 16 July 2013

The introduction of new energy technologies in road transport will mean that the current tailpipe measures of vehicles' climate impact will become increasingly inadequate.

So says LowCVP – and by publishing a report on this theme alongside its annual conference, the organisation aims to facilitate the first steps towards 'beyond tailpipe' measurement.

While currently, about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions occur during the 'in-use' phase of a vehicle's life, the introduction of plug-in electric vehicles – the Committee on Climate Change wants to see 1.7 million on the road by 2020 – means that more of vehicles' total carbon emissions will occur at the power station, and during production and disposal stages.

The new report 'Life Cycle CO2e Assessment of Low Carbon Cars 2020–2030' shows how total lifeycle CO2e emissions will change for different vehicle technologies in the future and estimates how the balance will alter for different stages in the lifecycle for the various technologies.

The report builds on an earlier study 'Preparing for a Life Cycle CO2 Measure', written for the LowCVP by Ricardo. The main conclusions of that study were that future CO2e vehicle metrics need to go 'beyond the tailpipe' and take account of whole lifecycle CO2e emissions to more fully account for environmental impacts.

LowCVP managing director Andy Eastlake says: "This new report indicates that it is time to move on from the current tailpipe carbon measure, but that whole vehicle lifecycle analysis is a very complex process, and further work is needed.

"With the in-use phase continuing to dominate vehicle impact for at least the next decade, LowCVP is calling for the UK to lead the way in incorporating the new test cycle and a well-to-wheel approach to fuel consumption and vehicle efficiency," he adds.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP)

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