26 May 09 13:44
Report suggests 30g/km target
Emissions targets cannot be met by solely investing in technology to produce electric cars, according to a report published today.
The report by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) says the government should not simply concentrate investment on electric cars but spread it over a number of technologies.
It warns emission targets cannot be met by electric charged vehicles alone and equal investment must be made in the other technologies such as hydrogen, hybrids and bio-fuels.
The report entitled Low Carbon Vehicles: Driving the UK's Transport Revolution, believes engineers can build cars that emit a mere 30g/km CO2 by 2050 - a target which they want the current government to use instead of its 100g/km of CO2 by 2020.
IMechE's Chief Executive, Stephen Tetlow, said: 'We must look at a whole host of technologies to meet these targets. Unless investment is pursued in the report's recommended areas, the consequences will be catastrophic.'
In his 2006 report on climate change, Lord Stern said the government needs to spend about £14 billion a year to get atmospheric CO2 down to 500 parts per million (ppm) - a target that should keep climate change in check. In April, the government promised £1 billion of this target for 'green' schemes.
Richard Folkson, Chairman of IMechE's Automotive Division added: 'This report has been written because we have felt the government has given us no choice - it seems to be saying it must be electric cars and we, as engineers, are being forced to go down that route.
'We are telling the government to set the targets but to leave the engineers to figure out how it can be done - and electric cars alone will not be the answer.'
The report makes recommendations to Government and industry, which includes introducing the £5,000 proposed subsidy for electric and hybrid cars as early as 2010. Its five recommended technologies are hybrid, fuel cell, hydrogen, battery-only electric cars - and advanced petrol and diesel.
