Tuesday, February 14, 2012
UKH2Mobility to prepare for hydrogen fuel roll-out
A new project will assess the viability of plans to commercially roll-out hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK.
Heralded as "ground breaking", UKH2Mobility will evaluate the potential of hydrogen to act as the primary fuel for Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles, before developing a plan for the commercial implementation of the fuel in 2014/2015.
The programme is set to analyse the UK’s preparedness for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on a commercial scale, as one solution to decarbonise road transport.
UKH2Mobility will also review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including implemented refuelling infrastructure and encouraging uptake of the new vehicles.
Ideas to help the UK to become a worldwide leader in Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle manufacturing will also be considered, to facilitate the country’s wider economic regeneration.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk commented at the launch of UKH2Mobility: "The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads.
"The government is supporting this market by investing £400 million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles."
UKH2Mobility brings together the government and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors to boost the recognition of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as viable options for a low carbon future.
"They are highly efficient, can be fuelled in minutes, travel an equivalent range to a conventional combustion engine, and have zero tail-pipe emissions," Mr Prisk said.
Thus far, some 13 industry participants have got involved in the scheme, including Johnson Matthey PLC and Nissan Motoring Manufacturing (UK) Limited, and have signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
Results of the evaluation are expected at the end of 2012, to allow for plans to get underway for the commercial roll-out of the vehicles as soon as possible.
However, until then companies across the country will be trialling hydrogen fuel, with Marks and Spencer launching its first experiment with hydrogen-powered vehicles for transporting and loading goods to its distribution centres.
Teaming up with energy, storage and clean fuel company ITM Power, a six-week pilot project was announced at the superstore’s Prologis Park Distribution Centre, which is already equipped with infrastructure to support a battery powered fleet.
The materials handling market has been recognised as a key early adopter of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to show industry the value of Ultra-Low Carbon technology.
In a report into the adoption of low carbon vehicles in the UK, the Automotive Council found that while manufacturers will implement technologies that correspond with their brand values and market sectors, hydrogen fuel could have a "significant" impact on average fleet emissions.
However, this will be dependent on the availability of battery, motor and power electronics technology with "high power density, high energy density, and low cost". Infrastructure provision will also be key in encouraging fleets to switch to hydrogen fuel.
According to Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car, there is already "a lot of work-ongoing in the UK" to build the infrastructure for hydrogen cars. Specifically, a number of projects are taking place to transform the M4 into the UK’s “hydrogen highway”.
"Most of the infrastructure that has been developed has been done so along that corridor," he explained.
The results of UKH2Mobility will have a major effect on UK transport businesses and green fleet management.
Heralded as "ground breaking", UKH2Mobility will evaluate the potential of hydrogen to act as the primary fuel for Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles, before developing a plan for the commercial implementation of the fuel in 2014/2015.
The programme is set to analyse the UK’s preparedness for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on a commercial scale, as one solution to decarbonise road transport.
UKH2Mobility will also review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including implemented refuelling infrastructure and encouraging uptake of the new vehicles.
Ideas to help the UK to become a worldwide leader in Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle manufacturing will also be considered, to facilitate the country’s wider economic regeneration.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk commented at the launch of UKH2Mobility: "The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads.
"The government is supporting this market by investing £400 million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles."
UKH2Mobility brings together the government and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors to boost the recognition of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as viable options for a low carbon future.
"They are highly efficient, can be fuelled in minutes, travel an equivalent range to a conventional combustion engine, and have zero tail-pipe emissions," Mr Prisk said.
Thus far, some 13 industry participants have got involved in the scheme, including Johnson Matthey PLC and Nissan Motoring Manufacturing (UK) Limited, and have signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
Results of the evaluation are expected at the end of 2012, to allow for plans to get underway for the commercial roll-out of the vehicles as soon as possible.
However, until then companies across the country will be trialling hydrogen fuel, with Marks and Spencer launching its first experiment with hydrogen-powered vehicles for transporting and loading goods to its distribution centres.
Teaming up with energy, storage and clean fuel company ITM Power, a six-week pilot project was announced at the superstore’s Prologis Park Distribution Centre, which is already equipped with infrastructure to support a battery powered fleet.
The materials handling market has been recognised as a key early adopter of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to show industry the value of Ultra-Low Carbon technology.
In a report into the adoption of low carbon vehicles in the UK, the Automotive Council found that while manufacturers will implement technologies that correspond with their brand values and market sectors, hydrogen fuel could have a "significant" impact on average fleet emissions.
However, this will be dependent on the availability of battery, motor and power electronics technology with "high power density, high energy density, and low cost". Infrastructure provision will also be key in encouraging fleets to switch to hydrogen fuel.
According to Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car, there is already "a lot of work-ongoing in the UK" to build the infrastructure for hydrogen cars. Specifically, a number of projects are taking place to transform the M4 into the UK’s “hydrogen highway”.
"Most of the infrastructure that has been developed has been done so along that corridor," he explained.
The results of UKH2Mobility will have a major effect on UK transport businesses and green fleet management.
DATED: 14.02.12
FEED: HC
QUALEC rules to be abolished
Special regulations for qualifying low emissions cars (QUALECS) - those with CO2 emissions not exceeding exactly 120g/km - are to be scrapped from 6 April 2012.
QUALECs are cars registered on or after 1 January 1998 with a CO2 emission figure that does not exceed the statutory limit for the tax year - currently standing at 120g/km.
Businesses offering company cars will be affected by the revisions, which will change car benefit charges.
In the UK car benefit charges are calculated by multiplying the price of a car, including accessories and any reduction in capital contributions the vehicle may have, for tax purposes.
Changes to the system will place further pressures on businesses to switch to green fleet models, as operators are required to pay Class 1 A National Insurance on the scale charge of any car offered to employees for private use.
Consequently, increases to the CO2 relevant percentage will impact upon business costs at a time when companies are already under financial pressure from rising fuel costs and new Low Emission Zone regulations.
Employees will also face charges as CO2 relevant percentages increase. Workers who use a company car are required to pay Benefit in Kind tax on the scale charge, which will rise if they are using a high emission vehicle.
New regulations coming into effect this year will see revisions to the lower threshold and the lowest appropriate percentage.
The lower threshold, the approved CO2 emissions figure which calculations of the appropriate percentage are based upon, will be reduced from 125g/km to 120g/km, with a further drop expected in 2013-2014.
Cars with an emission level of 99g/km will also receive a 10% lowest appropriate percentage scale rate, increasing to 11% for vehicles with emissions of 100g/km and rising by one percentage point for every 5g/km to the current maximum of 220g/km emissions (35%).
The 10% rule on lowest percentage cars will be applied to vehicles with CO2 emissions of 76g/km to 94g/km from 2013-2014.
It is hoped that the new standards will act as an incentive to businesses to choose more environmentally friendly vehicles as a means to reduce costs and their carbon footprint.
Dr Ben Lane, managing editor of Next Green Car, commented: "More drivers will find their motoring needs met by a hybrid, or by a plug-in hybrid which offers the ultimate combination of conventional and electric drive-trains.
"The good news is that all these options offer a new and improved driving experience, and can reduce running costs as well as emissions."
QUALECs are cars registered on or after 1 January 1998 with a CO2 emission figure that does not exceed the statutory limit for the tax year - currently standing at 120g/km.
Businesses offering company cars will be affected by the revisions, which will change car benefit charges.
In the UK car benefit charges are calculated by multiplying the price of a car, including accessories and any reduction in capital contributions the vehicle may have, for tax purposes.
Changes to the system will place further pressures on businesses to switch to green fleet models, as operators are required to pay Class 1 A National Insurance on the scale charge of any car offered to employees for private use.
Consequently, increases to the CO2 relevant percentage will impact upon business costs at a time when companies are already under financial pressure from rising fuel costs and new Low Emission Zone regulations.
Employees will also face charges as CO2 relevant percentages increase. Workers who use a company car are required to pay Benefit in Kind tax on the scale charge, which will rise if they are using a high emission vehicle.
New regulations coming into effect this year will see revisions to the lower threshold and the lowest appropriate percentage.
The lower threshold, the approved CO2 emissions figure which calculations of the appropriate percentage are based upon, will be reduced from 125g/km to 120g/km, with a further drop expected in 2013-2014.
Cars with an emission level of 99g/km will also receive a 10% lowest appropriate percentage scale rate, increasing to 11% for vehicles with emissions of 100g/km and rising by one percentage point for every 5g/km to the current maximum of 220g/km emissions (35%).
The 10% rule on lowest percentage cars will be applied to vehicles with CO2 emissions of 76g/km to 94g/km from 2013-2014.
It is hoped that the new standards will act as an incentive to businesses to choose more environmentally friendly vehicles as a means to reduce costs and their carbon footprint.
Dr Ben Lane, managing editor of Next Green Car, commented: "More drivers will find their motoring needs met by a hybrid, or by a plug-in hybrid which offers the ultimate combination of conventional and electric drive-trains.
"The good news is that all these options offer a new and improved driving experience, and can reduce running costs as well as emissions."
DATED: 14.02.12
FEED: HC
Motoring fines to get a massive hike
In another hammer blow to the already hard hit motorist, there is talk of increasing the current standard fine of £60 and increasing it to £100 or a massive £120 if they choose to go to court to challenge a speeding ticket for example. The proposal is the brainchild of the Justice Secretary Ken Clarke and reinforces the view held by motoring groups who believe that the fixed penalty tickets are just a money earner.
In a statement Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Clearly, speeding motorists are law breakers but their punishment should fit the crime, not turn into a tax paid only by this group of offenders simply because it is easy to collect.” The reasoning behind the proposals is an attempt to help fill a funding gap for victims of crime, according to Mr Clarke.
Sadly it seems that all governments seem to think that motorists in general are awash with spare cash. Whilst few would argue that victims of crime should not be compensated, it seems unfair that the burden falls yet again on the motoring public. Ministers hope to raise around £30 million a year just from fixed penalty surcharges.
DATED: 14.02.12
FEED: UKCG
