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With high fuel prices and austerity causing everyone to tighten their belts, Greg Archer from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership looks at how using a vehicle needn't cost the earth. Whilst the cheapest, most sustainable transport option is to avoid using the car, for many journeys this isn't practicable. Fortunately there are now a host of ways to reduce the costs and carbon of vehicle use for businesses, organisations and individuals. By choosing smaller modern vehicles, costs, air pollution and climate emissions are reduced. Modern cars now achieve, on average 50 mpg, 20% more than a decade ago, but the most efficient vehicles now approach 90 mpg. For a typical family car the cost-saving is over £1,300pa. Some local authorities also provide incentives, such as Brighton where low carbon vehicle owners receive a 50% reduction on the cost of their resident parking permits. Many authorities are encouraging electric vehicles (EVs) with free parking and by installing recharging units. Eight, Government funded "plugged in places" regional recharging networks are complemented by new private networks such as Polar that plans 4000 points in around 100 towns and Welcome Break installing fast charging at its service stations. As the networks evolve there will be less fear of running out of charge. With EV running costs around 10% those of petrol cars the attraction is clear. Unfortunately, buying an EV remains prohibitive despite the Government grant of up to £5,000. However, as the costs of new technology falls car buyers will be able to choose between a range of competing technologies including ultra-efficient internal combustion engines, hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, vehicles powered by advanced biofuels as well as various types of plug-in vehicles. Expect an ultra-low carbon vehicle down your street soon - the days of oil dominance are numbered. |
Effective management of car fleets can also deliver cost and carbon savings. The Energy Saving Trust Greenfleet programme provides free advice reducing carbon footprints and costs. Eco-driver training is another effective option typically saving around 10% of fuel. Many local authorities also specify environmental criteria in transport tenders and are also requiring use of efficient hybrid buses on managed routes. Responsible car use can also be promoted through supporting local car-clubs which typically take 25 private cars off the road - also reducing congestion. For people that drive less than 6,000 miles per year a car club could save up to £3,500 a year. The advent of peer-to-peer economics is also delivering sustainable transport options. Whipcar enables car owners to rent out their vehicles for money whenever they are not using them, replacing the need for other drivers to buy their own. Liftshare performs a similar role by promoting car sharing. You can even book to parkatmyhouse(.com) reducing congestion; or if you have stuff2send(.com) use drivers or couriers going there anyway. Choosing to drive will never be the most sustainable option - but it needn't cost the earth. For more information contact:
Greg Archer |
WINTER 2011
