Thursday, July 23, 2009
Database ends mystery of LCV economy and emissions
Uncertainty over the publication of fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures for LCVs has ended with the launch of an official online database.
The database, compiled by the Vehicle Certification Agency, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Department for Transport, contains average fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures for small, medium and large commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, pick-ups and 4x4s.
Until 2008, there was no legal obligation for van manufacturers to produce either fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures.
After that date, both figures were required, but there was no obligation for manufacturers to publish them.
This left many van dealers in the dark about whether to reveal the figures to potential customers.
Debate on the subject had been ongoing, not least because fuel economy figures are produced on a rolling road with the vehicles empty, which means that a high roof van will have the same mpg figure as a low-roof one, whereas in real life the figure will be different.
The announcement comes after lobbying from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.
John Lewis, chief executive, said: “This long-awaited information will be immensely valuable to fleet operators, helping them to save on fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint. It is a shame we have had to push so hard over the past 18 months to get it.”
The information can be viewed at www.vca.gov.uk/vandata
DATED: 23.07.09
FEED: AM
