Monday, March 08, 2010

EC publishes strategy for sustainable growth

The European Commission has published its EU 2020document, “A European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”.
The Strategy highlights flagship initiatives for driving economic growth in Europe. The Commission has identified modernising the transport sector, investment in R&D and the promotion of low carbon vehicles as key elements in increasing European competitiveness.
It sets out a vision for Europe's social market economy over the next decade.  This includes launching a major European strategy on low carbon vehicles, designed to help promote new technologies including electric and hybrid vehicles through research, common standards and developing the necessary infrastructure support. 
The plans also cover measures such as the development grid infrastructures to enable electrical mobility, intelligent traffic management, improvements in logistics and the reduction of CO2 emissions for road vehicles.
 Recently, UK government announced a £230 million ‘Plug-In Car Grant’ incentive programme that will begin in January 2011 offering motorists 25pc off the cost of an electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen-powered car. Government also began the roll-out of its ‘Plugged-In Places’ scheme that will see the installation of over 11,000 charging points in London, Milton Keynes and the North East of England.
 Vehicle manufacturers across Europe are working hard to reduce further the environmental impact of their vehicles, which includes the implementation of alternative technologies.  These actions, combined with the refinement of existing technologies alongside government support will have a beneficial impact on the environment.
Click here to download the document from the European Commission.


Set in the context of the upcoming general election and a challenging economic climate, SMMT has organised the New Car CO2 Report launch on 9 March from 14:30 – 16:00.
Attendees will see a cross-party panel dissect the industry’s performance and debate how best to frame future low carbon transport policy to ensure positive government action and support for manufacturing and technological innovation.
Confirmed to debate are:    Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, minister for business, innovation
and skills;  Robert Goodwill MP, Conservative shadow transport minister and Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat shadow transport secretary.
Each of the three political representatives will comment on industry’s performance in reducing CO2 emissions and outline their policies on low carbon transport. The debate will be followed immediately by a question and answer session.