More than half of Britons believe that we should limit our car use for the sake of the environment, a survey by the Department for Transport (DfT) reveals.

The report ‘Public attitudes towards climate change and the impact of transport’ shows that in 2009 just under 60 per cent thought that reducing their car use was  important for the environment, in the survey of just over a 1,000 people living in Great Britain.

The survey, run annually shows that last year, 76 per cent of adults were very or fairly concerned about climate change. While most think that climate change will have little or no impact on them personally (around 60 per cent), most believed that the UK and the rest of the world would be affected, but that it would be future generations who would feel the effect the most (around 85 per cent).

When asked about the causes of climate change, of those who felt that they knew something of the subject (89 per cent), the most commonly mentioned cause was road transport emissions as a leading cause of climate change, mentioned by 65 per cent. This was followed by emissions from planes, mentioned by around 40 per cent. Emissions from power stations, ‘other CO2 emissions’, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy were each selected by around 30 per cent of respondents.

But the proportion naming road transport emissions as a contributor has fallen from 72 per cent in 2006. Those mentioning natural causes fluctuated over the time period – 10 per cent in 2006, 16 per cent in 2007, 14 per cent in 2008 and 11 per cent in 2009.

In tackling climate change, support for policies on ‘soft’ measures to encourage alternative travel modes, such as improved public transport, was far higher than measures that would increase the cost of car travel. Support for both increasing tax on petrol and higher taxes on less environmentally friendly cars (the most popular pricing measure chosen by 37 per cent of adults) decreased between 2006 and 2009.

The vast majority of adults supported the Government persuading people to purchase less environmentally damaging vehicles, although the proportion supporting has reduced over time from 87 per cent in 2006 to 81 per cent in 2009.

In the next twelve months, three-quarters (77 per cent) said that they would undertake at least one activity which would reduce their car journeys, most often walking some short journeys or reducing the number of non-essential journeys. The activity that was most commonly mentioned was recycling, by around nine in ten.

Nearly half (45 per cent) of adults also believed ‘Air travel should be limited for the sake of the environment’.

How quickly can electric cars grab a significant market share? Well, according to former New York Governor George Pataki, the aim should be for a 40 per cent market penetration of electric drive vehicles by the end of the decade.

Speaking at the opening plenary of the Electric Drive Transportation Association conference in Washington DC, Pataki described the reliance on foreign oil as “one of the most devastating policy failures of our time” and that only establishing a three-seven per cent electric vehicle penetration by the end of the decade would be a failure.

According to Pataki his ambitious target can be reached by focusing on automobiles, batteries, customers and charging infrastructure.

He suggests that auto manufacturers should receive incentives – such as by exempting the profits resulting from the sale of the first 10million vehicles that deliver more than 75mpg from any corporate taxes. He also proposes incentives for battery makers and creating an interactive grid.

In a subsequent talk, Mary Ann Wright, VP and managing director of Johnson Controls Business Accelerator for Advanced Energy Storage Solutions, commented that the investments made so far were a great first step but they need to be leveraged with ongoing supportive policies.

Furthering its rapidly developing environmental image, Renault has launched the new eco2 business model for its customers in France.

According to the criteria, all models under the Renault eco2 banner must have CO2 emissions of less than 140g/km or be powered by biofuel; be produced in an ISO 14001 certified plant; and be 95 per cent recoverable at the end of their life with at least five per cent recycled plastic content.

Currently, the business eco2 range consists of eight models: the Clio, Clio Estate, New Megane Hatch and Estate, New Scenic and Grand Scenic, New Laguna Hatchback and Estate. The Fluence and Clio emitting 98g/km of CO2 will also be added to the line-up at a later date.

The entire eco2 range is also fitted with the new Carminat TomTom that rationalises journeys and optimises transport times while minimising fuel consumption.

As the US attempts to reduce its reliance on foreign oil, import levels of crude and products in 2009 slumped 9.2 per cent.

The figures from the American Petroleum Institute show that domestic crude oil production was up seven per cent over the prior year, averaging 5.3million barrels a day.

However, December figures suggest that the demand for petroleum is reflecting the economic recovery. Total petroleum deliveries for December 2009 were up 0.6 per cent compared to the previous year. At 19.3million barrels a day, they outpaced both four quarter average deliveries of 19.0million and full year averages of 18.7million.

Gasoline deliveries also followed a similar pattern with December deliveries averaging 9.1million barrels a day – that’s an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year. Gasoline deliveries were also up by 1.1 per cent in the fourth quarter and by 0.3 per cent for the full year.

Fancy getting your mitts on a hybrid but thought they were too expensive? Think again. The good old ‘affordable hybrid’, the Insight just got more tempting.

Honda is offering a PCP on the Insight SE, meaning you can join the hybrid revolution for just £199 per month.

More than £3,000 cheaper than its famous Toyota competitor, the Insight, first introduced in spring last year, is now available with competitive APR of 5.9 per cent and a low initial deposit.

Similar PCP deals with near identical terms can’t touch the Insight, a Focus ECOnetic will cost you £349.98 per month, a Vauxhall Astra will set you back £453.71 per month while a Prius will cost £265.38 per month.

The Insight SE comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, CD audio system, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, electric windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and 408-litres of boot space (seats up).

At £16,338, the Insight’s on-the-road price undercuts the Prius hybrid by at least £3,165, for which, Honda points out, you could buy one of its Hornet motorcycles too or seven nights in Mauritius.

As well as the lower on-the-road price and value-for-money PCP, the Insight boasts high residual values, fuel economy of 64.2mpg (SE combined), low road tax and exemption from the London Congestion charge.

The Honda Insight SE is based on for 36 payments of £199 at 5.9 per cent APR with a deposit of £4625.50.

The higher spec, Insight ES is available for £229 with deposit of £4,610. ES-T grade Insights are available for £249 per month with deposit of £4,906.40 – all based on 36 month payments at 5.9 per cent APR.

At last, a use for all that office waste paper! For the first time, a vehicle fuelled by US government waste-paper and waste cardboard has been driven through the streets of Washington D.C.

The drive happened yesterday as part of the opening of the Washington Auto Show. The car, a Chevrolet converted to run on E85 biofuel was made available to test drive to members of the media and government VIPs during the opening and is supplied by global bio-innovation company Novozymes and partner, Maryland-based Fiberight.

During the day’s ‘Ride ‘n Drive’ event, lucky individuals had the chance to test drive the flex-fuel Chevrolet HHR at the Washington Convention Center. In the exhibition hall, a flex-fuel Ford F150 – also fuelled with the waste-paper based biofuel – is on display throughout the week of the show, which runs until January 31. Both vehicles run on E85, a blend of 85 per cent biofuel and 15 per cent gasoline.

Novozymes multi-year research and development efforts have resulted in generating E85 fuel by creating an enzyme cocktail that can now be used to make what is know as ‘advanced biofuel’ from agricultural residues, municipal waste such as wastepaper and energy crops.

“The advanced biofuels showcased here today demonstrate that the enzyme technology is ready for market. What we need now is commercialization and deployment of advanced biofuels in order to help meet our country’s most pressing energy and environment challenges,” said Adam Monroe, president, Novozymes North America.

The biofuel demonstrated at the show is produced by Novozymes’ partner, Fiberight. After a sequence of pulping, pre-treatment and wash, enzymes from Novozymes turn the paper and cardboard waste into sugars that are then fermented into biofuel. A sample of the paper feedstock will also be on display throughout the show.

Novozymes is no stranger to the government spotlight. President Bush visited Novozymes headquarters in North Carolina in February 2007 to learn about enzyme technology which resulted in part of the plans for the much-criticised Renewable Fuels Standard.

Novozymes received two contracts from the US Department of Energy (DOE) for its research efforts to bring down the cost of enzymes and improve their efficiency in converting cellulose to biofuels. The first contract for $2.2 million was given in 2002, and the second for $12.3 million was given in 2008.

However the Bush administration’s policy of support for biofuels has been much criticised. Recently we told you about thinktank, Earth Policy Institute’s report which linked a rise in ethanol production to a rise in global food poverty (see story).

While ‘advanced biofuels’ claim to be better for the environment because they generate high-energy liquid fuels derived from low nutrient input/high per acre yield crops such as those from non-food sources, algae and biomass waste, they have nonetheless attracted criticism.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday announced an $80 million investment in advanced biofuels, but a study from Rice University suggests Government policy is flawed.

The Obama administration is now funding research into algae and cellulosic biomass fuel in the belief that they will reduce CO2 emissions and not conflict with food production.

However a policy paper from the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University says that the US Government needs to radically rethink its policy of promoting ethanol as a transport fuel.

The report, ‘Fundamentals of a Sustainable US Biofuels Policy’ (available here) questions whether the Government’s targets for biofuel production and use can be met and whether biofuels are improving the environment and energy security.

A recent article from Reuters further questions the role of advanced biofuel (see story).

Novozymes argue however that its work in ‘advanced’ biofuels such as the enzyme-generated fuel demonstrated here can deliver up to 90 per cent CO2 emission reduction compared to gasoline and is a very cost-efficient way of reducing CO2 in the transport sector. In 2009, the deployment of Novozymes’ technologies in all industries resulted in the reduction of CO2 emissions totaling approximately 27 million tons – the equivalent of taking 7 million cars off the road, the company claims.

Whatever the truth, a car that can dispose of government trash must seem very appealing to politicians right now.

Electric cars, plug-in hybrid and range-extended electric vehicles will account for around 20 per cent of the global market for light vehicles by 2030, IHS Global Insight’s Automotive Group predicts.

The group, made up of industry expert analysts from across the world reports in its latest white paper, ‘Battery Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: The Definitive Assessment of the Business Case’ that plug-in hybrids will have an 8.6 per cent market share and a 9.9 per cent share for battery-electrics.

“The advantages of electric vehicles are numerous – the multiplicity of energy sources, reduced emissions, reduced noise, the possibility of reduced operating costs – but so too are the challenges,” said Philip Gott, director of Automotive Science and Technology in IHS Global Insight’s Automotive Services Group.

The report contradicts some less optimistic research from fellow analysts The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) who concluded that electric cars would remain to pricey in the short term (see story) to really begin to establish a market share. Likewise, even Toyota has voiced its skepticism (see story) over the potential appeal to the market of plug-in hybrids thanks to high costs.

The new report does however acknowledge that its market share predictions are based on the assumption that these vehicles will overcome some significant problems. The development of powerful, long-lasting batteries and ready access to a reliable power grid for recharging remain the critical issues for the success of the battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle of the future, according to the white paper. In addition to technology limitations, high costs and expectations of consumers’ accustomed to internal combustion engine vehicles must also be overcome before the plugged-in vehicles achieve significant acceptance.

Gott said the major challenges to be overcome if the vehicles are to be successful in the marketplace are consumers’ preference for long range, versatile vehicles; cost and uncertainty about battery life; perceptions of safety hazard; and adequacy of the power grid.

The report splits electric cars into two kinds: pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) powered only by an on-board battery recharged from the electric power grid, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that combine an internal combustion engine with a battery that can also be charged from the grid and run for as long as 100 miles before needing the internal combustion engine.

BEVs, the study concludes, will find a natural home in urban environments, like those found in the global mega cities, while PHEVs will play a transitional role in suburban environments where range anxiety is a real concern. At issue is whether consumers will continue to use personal motor vehicles for work and play as they do today, or whether there will be strong moves away from the extensive use of privately owned cars in urban areas, accompanied by significant third-party influence changing consumer attitudes towards cars and how they are used.

The pathway for commercialisation for these new generation vehicles highlights the needed support of governments and the utility companies. Consumers are expected early on to be more attracted to PHEVs because of their range and convenience, the study said, but as the infrastructure evolves, many early urban PHEV owners will realize they are running predominantly in full electric mode and a large-scale switch to BEVs could begin.

For a copy of the abstract of the white paper, “Battery Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: The Definitive Assessment of the Business Case,” go to www.ihsglobalinsight.com/pluggedin.

Lowered costs, improved performance, quality, and reliability: those are the advantages General Motors is suggesting it will enjoy by expanding its in-house electric vehicle development capabilities to become the first US car manufacturer to design and manufacture electric motors.

The first GM designed and built electric motors are expected to debut in 2013 as part of the company’s next-generation, rear-wheel drive, two-mode hybrid technology. The machines are expected to be about 25 per cent smaller with efficiency increased and output up around 20 per cent; they are also expected to be applied to a range of vehicles smaller than the full size trucks and SUVs of today.

According to Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product operations, the firm will invest $246million in the next generation hybrid system, as well as a manufacturing site for the motors – details of which will be revealed later this week.

It’s not the first step for GM, which has actually been enhancing its in-house capabilities for electric motor research and development for years. It was selected by the US Department of Energy in August for a $105million grant for the construction of US manufacturing capabilities to produce electric motors and their related components.

To begin with, GM will commit to building all the motors for the next generation two-mode transmission. However, for other programmes, such as its extended range electric vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, it may choose to buy the motors from other suppliers or elect to make them.

As it aims to quickly establish electric cars on the highways of the United States, electric vehicle manufacturer THINK has announced that it will work with AeroVironment Inc to pursue and demonstrate a fast-charge system for the THINK City electric vehicle.

The announcement was made by THINK CEO Richard Canny as part of the Washington Auto Show and poignantly took exactly 15 minutes to deliver – the same time required to charge the THINK City car from completely depleted to 80 per cent using the fast charge system.

The fast charge system uses a protocol developed by the Tokyo Electric Power Company with THINK and EnerDel having been using the system to quickly recharge development vehicles. According to Canny, this has confirmed the suitability of the fast-charge technology and now THINK and AeroVironment are setting a new standard for quick recharging from 0-80 per cent in just 15 minutes. Canny described this as a “major leap forward” for electric vehicles.

In addition, THINK has announced that it has chosen Indiana-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel to be the exclusive battery supplier for THINK City electric vehicles sold in the US through 2012.

The THINK City will go on sale in the US beginning this year with a top speed of more than 70mph and a range of 100miles on a single charge.

After months of negotiations and fears that the Saab brand was effectively doomed, General Motors and Spyker Cars NV have now confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.

Under the terms of the agreement, Spyker will form a new company called Saab Spyker Automobiles. Details of the sale, which is still subject to closing conditions, such as the receipt of applicable government and court approvals, are expected to be revealed in “due time” according to GM.

According to Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe, it has always been GM’s intention to find a solution for Saab to avoiding winding down the brand and the company will continue to support Saab and Spyker as they move forward.

Meanwhile, the Swedish government is reviewing the transaction, which is expected to close in mid February – wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended pending the close of the transaction.