Environment

Today, members of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) convened at SMMT to discuss how the low-carbon vehicle market will impact on the leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has given its backing to the Royal Automobile Club’s annual RAC Future Car Challenge, which will take place on Saturday 5 November 2011.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has published an updated version of its Electric Car Guide to help motorists make more informed decisions when purchasing an electric vehicle.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne today proposed a limit on the total amount of greenhouse gases to be emitted by the UK between 2023 to 2027 in a bid to cut Britain’s emissions by 50% from 1990 levels.

The Environmental Audit Committee has published its report on the Green Investment Bank (GIB). It has warned that the UK could potentially lose out on hundreds of billions of pounds of investment in green energy projects if government does not commit to its plans for a GIB.

SMMT has welcomed the re-launch of the CARS 21 High Level Group (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century) that will develop a vision for a competitive EU automotive industry and sustainable mobility and growth in 2020 and beyond.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader’s (SMMT) eleventh annual sustainability report today reveals that UK manufacturing has made significant progress in cutting CO2 emissions, waste and energy use despite the challenges of the recent economic crisis.

Government has confirmed the eligibility criteria for its Plug-In Car Grant that, from January 2011, will offer motorists up to £5,000 towards the purchase of an electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuelled car.

A leading economic think tank has highlighted the importance of encouraging private sector research and development (R&D) and has said that improving the availability of finance will be crucial to sustaining the recovery and rebalancing of the UK economy.

The UK motor industry has urged chancellor George Osborne to consider the significant economic contribution made by industry when he makes tough decisions in the Comprehensive Spending Review, set to be published on 20 October.