The European Commission has revealed an ambitious plan to promote the use of greener vehicles and establish Europe as a global leader in the development of greener transport solutions.

The wide-ranging strategy entitled ‘A European strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles’ (located here) includes plans to; support research and innovation in green technologies, continue legislative programmes on vehicle emission reduction, ensure that alternative fuelled vehicles are as safe as conventional ones, promote common standards that will allow all electric vehicles to be charged anywhere in the EU, encourage installation of publicly accessible charging points, promote the development of smart electricity grids and finally update the rules and promote research on recycling of batteries.

Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani in charge of industry and entrepreneurship said: “In 2010, the automotive industry enters into a defining phase for its future success. The new European strategy will provide a supportive framework based on a twin-track approach: improving the efficiency of conventional engines and making ultra low-carbon mobility a reality for European consumers.

“Including all types of vehicles in the strategy will ensure that this parallel approach will strike the right balance between securing the future competitiveness of our car manufacturing industry without compromising our long-term goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. The strategy also aims at achieving common standards for electrical cars so that they can be charged everywhere in the EU.”

Transport accounts for about a quarter of the EU’s emissions of carbon dioxide. Last year saw a 59 per cent rise in EU demand for cars with the lowest CO2 emissions – the sharpest increase ever.

London is now home to over 100,000 car club members, the latest data from national transport charity, Carplus reveals.

Car clubs have proven increasingly popular over the last few years, particularly in large cities, offering motorists an affordable and flexible approach to car use.

It is London, however, where pay-as-you-go access to cars has really taken off. Car clubs now operate in 31 London boroughs, with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announcing plans to double car club bays to 4000 by next year. Car Clubs are also helping to trial electric cars as is the case in the London boroughs of Camden and Westminster. 

Carplus says that London has lead the growth in car clubs because local authorities have recognised the advantages of such schemes and have acted to secure the parking bays for car club vehicles.

Effectively a form of short term car hire, car clubs allow members to book a car parked in a nearby location and pay to use it by the hour. This approach to car hire has benefits for all, as a recent report published by the Transport Research Laboratory has revealed – 25 per cent of car club members reduce the number of cars owned by their household, and 30 per cent defer a purchase. This equates to 55,000 fewer vehicles in London alone.

Car clubs are credited with helping to cut  inner city congestion by reducing car numbers, while they also save their members money over the cost of owning and running their own vehicle.  As car club often use the most fuel efficient vehicles available, their users are credited with reducing emissions too, by using these fuel efficient vehicles less often than they did when they owned their own car.

Car clubs operating in the UK, include City Car Club, Streetcar, Connect by Hertz, Zipcar and Commonwheels. a  full list of locations and operators can be found at: http://www.carclubs.org.uk/494/list-of-carclubs/list-of-car-clubs.html

Over the last few weeks we’ve brought you details about Toyota’s plans to start plug-in hybrid vehicle trials in China (see article) and London (see article) – however, now one of these trials is officially under way – in France.

The Japanese manufacturer is teaming with energy provider EDF Energy, and the city of Strasbourg to launch a three-year plug-in hybrid electric vehicle demonstration. The project is expected to involve 100 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and a dedicated charging infrastructure.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid is based on the third generation Prius and comes with a lithium-ion battery pack. It has an electric range of up to 12miles at speeds up to 62mph. Its CO2 emissions in the European homologation combined cycle are just 59g/km.

Part of a global Toyota project that will also see plug-in hybrid vehicles deployed in Japan, the US and Australia, the trial in France has received support from the Research Fund managed by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME. It is also not the first time that Toyota has teamed with EDF Energy, having partnered with the company on European road trials for plug-in vehicles in France in 2007 and in the UK in 2008.

It is expected that EDF will set up around 150 charging points at users’ homes, at the private parking of partner companies and in public car parks while the city of Strasbourg will lease five plug-in hybrid vehicles with the remainder going to public institutions and private companies.

With the Chinese automobile market continuing to expand at a rapid rate Volkswagen has decided to expand its investment programme for the country by a further €1.6billion.

The German manufacturer had already decided to invest €4.4billion in the country as it attempts to reinforce its position as one of the leaders in this key sales market. Comprehensive investments have been outlined for new models and additional capacities in China that will be financed from the cash flow of the Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen joint ventures. The company will now use this additional money for facilities at two new locations.

During the year, Volkswagen Group will launch seven new or updated models in China including the new Golf GTI and Tiguan LWB, and updated versions of the Jetta A2 and the Skoda Octavia. The Volkswagen CC was also included at this year’s Auto China event in Beijing.

In the first quarter of this year alone, the Volkswagen Group delivered a total of 457,259 vehicles to its customers in China and Hong Kong.

Government support and incentives will be needed if Japan is to meet its targets in boosting the sales of hybrid and other low carbon vehicles.

That’s the verdict of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chairman Satoshi Aoki on the goal of increasing sales to 20-50 per cent of the overall domestic total by 2020.

Aoki, who is also the chairman of Honda Motor Company and was speaking to the Nikkei, commented that the sales share of hybrid and other next generation vehicles rose to slightly above 10 per cent in fiscal 2009 primarily due to subsidies and tax breaks. He believes that without this support the share will remain “just a little better” than the current level even in 2020.

The Williams Formula 1 team has strengthened its commitment to hybrid technology by acquiring a majority shareholding in Williams Hybrid Power.

The F1 team has increased its 40 per cent stake in the company to 78 per cent after the technology enjoyed a successful racing debut in the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. At the Nurburgring earlier this month, the Porsche Hybrid finished first in its class and third overall in only the second race of the season.

In the 911 GT3 Hybrid two electric motors are positioned at the front axle and develop 60kW to supplement the 353kW four litre flat six at the rear. Instead of using the batteries that are traditionally employed in road hybrid cars an electric flywheel power generator is fitted in the cockpit beside the driver to deliver energy to the electric motors.

Williams F1 originally invested in the company back in March 2008 when it bought the minority share in Automotive Hybrid Power, which was subsequently renamed Williams Hybrid Power. At the time it was a provider of composite flywheels when kinetic energy recovery systems were being introduced into Formula One. Although the flywheel system has not been raced by the team, there continues to be interest in the company’s magnetically loaded composite flywheel technology.

Japanese carmaker Nissan has teamed up with energy firm, GE, in order to accelerate the development of a smart-charging infrastructure.

GE and the carmaker signed a three year memorandum of understanding to collaborate over research new technologies that will be needed in the car, on the grid and at home or work to make smart charging a reality.

Smart charging will allow motorists to control how the grid delivers electric power to their electric vehicle — at what time of the day and at what rate. For example, if drivers want to charge their cars when the price of electricity is lower, smart charging would automatically give them the ability to do that.

The MOU will allow  the firms to combine Nissan’s electric car expertise with GE’s energy sector leadership and grid expertise to further smart grid technology developments.

For the launch of the agreement, the two firms have outlined two key areas for potential collaborations. The first relates to the integration of electric vehicles with homes and buildings. The second focuses on electric vehicle charging dynamics with the larger electric grid. The research team says the combined expertise will give them a full picture — from energy generation to the vehicle itself — of what it will take to make the grid ready.

While the firms expect that the initial small numbers of electric vehicles will not strain the grid, there are a number of potential issues that must be studied and quantified, such as whether clusters of electric vehicles will tax the local electrical distribution system, including transformers.

GE scientist Matt Nielsen, who’s the research lead on the MOU said: “The purpose of this program will be to quantify the impact through both modelling/simulation and actual experimental data. The good news is that the electrified transportation community has recognised these issues and is proactively developing solutions.

Many of the utilities I have spoken with have active programs to make sure their networks and systems are ready for electric vehicles, and that they can provide a great experience for the customer.”

As part of the energy firm’s ecomagination initiative and Smart Grid research efforts, electric transportation is already a key focus area. For example, GE has invested more than $150 million to develop advanced battery technologies that will provide energy storage for several future product applications, including GE’s ecomagination certified hybrid locomotive, tugboats, mining trucks, and heavy service vehicles. GE has also recently increased its investment in battery maker A123 Systems, which is which is a leader in the lithium-ion battery technology used in hybrid cars.

Nissan, is preparing for the launch of its all-electric LEAF model , which goes on sale at the end of 2010 in Japan and the US and arrives in Europe in early 2011.

Chinese carmaker Geely has unveiled two new electric vehicle concepts at the Beijing motor show this week.

One of China’s fastest growing carmakers, the brand, known for its recent purchase of Volvo, has also taken the covers off a new prototype called the IG (Intelligent Geely). An eye-catching car, first unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show 2009, the new IG is face-lifted from former single door and 3+1 seat layout to double seagull-wing doors and 2+2 seat layout now, while it retains its hybrid power and low-cost design.

Geely also brought to the show two new electric vehicle concepts too, the EK-1 and EK-2. The EK-1 is lead-acid battery powered vehicle capable of reaching 80km/h top speed and has a 80km range. Meanwhile the EK-2 is lithium iron phosphate battery powered with max speed of 150km and range of 180km and can recharge 80 per cent of battery capacity in 18mins.

The IG hybrid model comes equipped with GSG (Geely Stop and Go) system, which automatically switches the engine off when stationary to save fuel. Best of all the carmaker reckons that the IG would cost in theory for the whole car except for power-train mounting, just  10,000 chinese yuan (equivalent to just £960).

In addition, the car features solar panels which not only help to power the battery but have other functions too, such as to reduce the interior temperatures.

The first stage of the coveted Automotive X Prize competition started this week as 28 teams, representing 36 super fuel efficient vehicles from across the globe took to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in the USA to officially start on-track performance testing.

Monday (April 28) saw Established automakers, start-ups, universities, inventors, and even a high school team start the first stage of the multi-million dollar competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, production-capable, and super fuel-efficient vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or its energy equivalent).

In total, teams from 14 U.S. states and nine countries will take part. These teams will compete to take a share of the $10 million prize purse, to be awarded this September to those that survive the rigorous multi-stage competition.

This week’s events at MIS kickoff the first of three on-track performance testing stages—Shakedown, Knockout Qualifying, and Finals—each aimed at evaluating the efficiency, safety, and performance of competition vehicles under real world conditions. At the completion of the Finals Stage on July 30, surviving vehicles move on to Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago, IL for three weeks of Validation Testing before the competition winners are announced this September.

The Shakedown Stage, runs from Monday April 26 until May 7, and is an un-scored stage in which competition officials will conduct safety checks and inspections on competition vehicles, followed by a series of on-track challenges designed to allow teams an opportunity to test their vehicles without fear of penalty, shake out problem areas, and ready their vehicles for the Knockout Qualifying Stage that follows.

While in Michigan, the competition will offer several opportunities for the public and media to see the vehicles and meet the competing teams. Public days are scheduled for June 25 and July 23 as well as an Open House event at MIS to be announced next month. The public can also follow the progress of competing teams online at www.progressiveautoxprize.org where interactive updates, photos, and videos from MIS will be available throughout the competition.

Winners will be selected from two classes: Mainstream and Alternative. The following is a complete list of the 28 Qualified Teams, along with the class in which they will compete and their fuel type. Note that some teams are entering vehicles in each class. For more information on these teams, please visit

Mainstream Class Teams:
Mainstream Class vehicles must carry four or more passengers, have four or more wheels, and offer a 200-mile range.

American HyPower, Centennial, Colorado (Gasoline, Hydrogen)
APET-X, Hong Kong, China (Electric)
BITW Technologies, Palmyra, Indiana (Biodiesel)
Cornell 100+ MPG Team, Ithaca, New York (Biodiesel)
Edison2, Charlottesville, Virginia (E85)
Enginer, Troy, Michigan (Gasoline + Steam)
Envera, Mill Valley, California (Gasoline)
Global-E, Mandeville, Louisiana (Gasoline & Electric)
Illuminati Motor Works, Virden, Illinois (Electric)
Liberty Motors Group, Botkins, Ohio (Gasoline)
Team FourSight, Morgantown, West Virginia (Biodiesel)
West Philly Hybrid X (EVX), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Gasoline)
WIKISPEED, Seattle, Washington (Gasoline)

Alternative Class Teams:
Alternative Class vehicles must carry two or more passengers and allow for a 100 mile range.

amp, Blue Ash, Ohio (Electric)
Aptera Motors, Vista, California (Electric)
Edison2, Charlottesville, Virginia (E85)
Envera, Mill Valley, California (Gasoline)
FVT Racing, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada (Gasoline)
K-Way MOTUS, Turin, Italy (Gasoline)
OptaMotive, San Jose, California (Electric)
RaceAbout Association, Helsinki, Finland (Electric)
Spira, Banglamung, Chonburi, Thailand (Gasoline)
Tango (Commuter Cars), Spokane, Washington (Electric)
Tata Motors Limited, Coventry, United Kingdom (Electric)
Team EVI, Mooresville, North Carolina (Electric)
Team EVX, Dallas, Texas (Electric)
Team FourSight, Morgantown, West Virginia (Electric)
TW4XP, Rosenthal, Germany (Electric)
West Philly Hybrid X (EVX), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Biodiesel)
Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington (Gasoline)
X-Tracer Team Switzerland, Uster, Switzerland (Electric)
ZAP, Santa Rosa, California (Electric)

On Thursday, April 29, five competition vehicles— including amp (Blue Ash, Ohio), Aptera (Vista, California), Edison2 (Lynchburg, Virginia), Global-E (Mandeville, Louisiana), and ZAP (Santa Rosa, California)— will be showcased on the lawn of the Michigan State Capitol in a celebratory kickoff event hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

With just a week to go before the country heads the polling booths, many will be wondering just what the three main parties are offering in terms of transport and environmental policies.

Well, according to Friends of the Earth (FOE), the Liberal Democrats are in the lead for offering the most ambitious green manifesto compared to key rivals, the Conservatives and Labour. Of course, as you would expect, the green group says that the Green Party is the most ambitious overall in its pledges to make a difference to the environment and tackle climate change.

The green pressure group says that the big three must make climate a bigger election issue, ahead of the big day, set for May 6.

In its analysis of the parties manifestos, Friends of the Earth found that there was little to choose between Labour and Conservative pledges overall, while the Liberal Democrats showed more promise. 

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said: "Developing a low carbon economy is essential for the UK’s long-term security and prosperity – and must be an urgent priority for the next Government.

"The Liberal Democrats have the most ambitious and integrated environmental commitments of the three main parties, with Labour and the Conservatives lagging behind.

"But none of the main party manifestos are bold enough to meet the challenge of tackling climate change and seizing the huge economic benefits of creating a greener, safer future.”

The green charity assessed each manifesto against several criteria, checking their policies on areas such as local transport, road transport, smart grids, electric cars, public transport and green energy. Of the major parties, the Liberal Democrats have the best policy in eight of the areas which the charity called for,and are joint best in a further one. They also integrated the environment into their overall policy and gave it the highest profile.

Labour have better policies in two areas – although one of these, on local councils, was far from adequate if still better than other parties. They were also joint best in one.  The party also put forward two particularly bad policies on road-widening and airport-expansion.

Conservative proposals were lacking in detail rather than policy breadth. The effectiveness of many of the policies they propose – such as CAP reforms to deliver sustainability, floors on carbon price and landfill taxes, use of Government procurement – are difficult because of the lack of clarity.

But the Green Party have the most ambitious spending plans, targets and policies across most of the policy areas.

Added Atkins: "All party leaders must show their commitment to tackling climate change by explaining clearly how they will keep our environment safe and healthy, and make it cheaper and easier for us all to go green, in the final phase of the campaign."