Reducing carbon emissions has become more and more important in recent years as many car manufacturers are battling among one another to make the most fuel and energy efficient vehicles.
The likes of Toyota and Renault have already signalled their commitment to producing electric and hybrid cars for everyday use, which have proved popular. As many of you will know, Toyota’s Prius is leading the way in terms of being one of the first of its kind, offering motorists significantly lower emissions than already available on the market. While Renault has looked to satisfy the needs of both commercial and individual drivers with the range of ZE models which can be either used for personal or business needs.
With this in mind, manufacturers across the UK will be readying themselves for the inaugural Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) Awards which have been set up by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The accolades help to recognise the good work many companies have been doing to reduce the amount carbon emissions that their vehicles give out. They will highlight those firms within the freight industry that have a concerted commitment to lower emissions and have less of an impact on the environment.
There are a number of categories that LCRS members can compete for including: the Bridgestone Tyres sponsored carbon reduction through fuel efficiency, carbon reduction through innovative fleet management as well as similar efforts through use of low carbon transport modes and through the use of alternative low carbon fuels and technologies.
Companies now have the opportunity to compete for these prestigious accolades prior to the LCRS Awards are presented at a glitzy ceremony at the FTA’s Annual Logistics Carbon Reduction Conference which will be held in May 2013.
Rachael Dillon, FTA’s climate change policy manager, said: “Over the last three years, the LCRS has been industry’s leading voluntary initiative for operators to record, report and reduce carbon emissions. We now want to go further and give LCRS members the opportunity to be recognised as leaders in fuel efficiency and carbon reduction through these inaugural awards.”
Once again, these awards show the concerted focus on the UK automotive sector to help reduce the amount carbon emissions within the atmosphere and it has now reached a point where motorists at looking at this area as a criteria when they are looking to purchase a car.
The government has also been keen to force the issue of more drivers and companies ‘going green’ by introducing the Plug-In Car Van Grant. In February, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that people looking to take up an electric vehicle are entitled to receive a grant of 20 per cent towards the cost of the van or car, up to a maximum of £8,000. Officials believe that this move will help to encourage motorists to ‘go green’ and help to protect the environment and is just one of the many ideas that is pushing drivers and fleet owners to decide to ditch the conventional gas guzzlers and reduce their emissions.