New car discounts for environmentally-friendly models have been mooted for some time now, with company car owners at least being incentivised to go green, but the government has announced it is about to make low-carbon fuels a pillar of its emissions targets policy.
The Department of Transport (DfT) has announced that it wants new cars to be fueled by yoghurt-pot diesel and other low-carbon alternatives rather than traditional fossil fuels.
Advanced fuels is the term being used to describe a variety of carbon-cutting alternatives with the potential to run the next generation of cars and other vehicles. Some of the more promising fuels include the next generation of biofuels, hydrogen, and
synthetic fuels, which are made in high-tech facilities.
Many cars that are already available make use of some sort of low-carbon technology, be it hybrid power sources or all electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf. However, the government wants more drivers to embrace the greener side of motoring and that will need investment and research.
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: "Over a fifth of UK carbon emissions come from transport. That's why it's crucial we develop sustainable low-carbon fuels so that we can keep Britain moving while meeting our emissions targets.
"Britain has a wealth of expertise in this field and is home to many innovative companies … We are asking for evidence on what this high-tech sector can do to decarbonise transport and create new, green jobs."
Earlier this year, the coalition announced a £25 million competition to develop a demonstration plant that could make sustainable advanced transport fuels and the new focus will be centred on how the UK can develop the sector further. Baroness Kramer's announcement and the accompanying consultation are now set to shape the future development of the government's low-carbon and advanced fuel policies.
Posted by George Davis