Driving down emissions - the potential of low carbon vehicle technology

In the UK, a quarter of all CO2 emissions come from transport: 90% of this originates from road vehicles. Reducing transport emissions through technological shifts is not only relevant to climate change, but also impacts on energy security and prices. It is clear there is further scope for decreasing CO2 emissions by improving the efficiency of the internal combustion engine and reducing the weight of vehicle components. Electrification of the vehicle fleet provides significant opportunities for decarbonising transport. Hybrid vehicles, which combine an internal combustion engine with the ability to capture and re-use otherwise wasted energy, provide a good mix of conventional propulsion and battery technology. However, limitations in battery technology and 'diseconomies' of scale currently make these vehicles several thousand pounds more expensive than their conventional counterparts, creating a barrier to mass market introduction. The difficulties of providing the appropriate infrastructure for grid-connected electric vehicles with zero or low carbon emissions will need to be overcome too. It is unlikely that any single technology can deliver the carbon reductions required from the transport sector. Financial inducements geared towards lower emission vehicles, subsidies for car purchase or scrappage, grants for research and development, and infrastructure provision are among the many policy and levers available to government to incentivise popular adoption of new technologies. The role of government at this stage is complex and subtle. Promising ideas should be encouraged without distorting the market or stifling market-led development, and policy decisions need to be taken not just at a national level, but on an international basis. The RAC Foundation regards the greening of road transport as crucial for two reasons. Firstly so motorists can play their part in tackling climate change, and secondly to protect personal mobility which is so important to the economic and social wellbeing of the nation. For the full text of this publication see http://www.racfoundation.org/assets/rac_foundation/content/downloadables/low%20carbon%20vehicle%20technology%20-%20lytton%20-%20report.pdf

• Record URL:
  http://www.racfoundation.org/assets/rac_foundation/content/downloadables/low%20carbon%20vehicle%20technology%20-%20lytton%20-%20report.pdf
• 
• Authors:
  • LYTTON, L
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 42p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Carbon dioxide; Design; Electric vehicles; Hybrid vehicles; Incentives; Motors; Sustainable development; Vehicles
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Design; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01163415
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 22 2010 10:59AM