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AutoWired : MPs call for incentives to design green, safe cars THE UK is being urged by MPs to bring-in new rules to encourage motorists to buy more environmentally friendly cars. The Transport Select Committee's report, published yesterday, also says car makers should be given incentives to develop low emission fuel-cell cars and design vehicles that reduce the potential for car crime and casualties before they occur. "Sophisticated new technologies have a cost penalty and are unlikely to appear on the market unless there is a regulatory requirement or consumer demand,'' says the report. It recommends that the UK should support the use of regulation to encourage cleaner and safer vehicle design.'' According to the report, the government should provide more grants to help people buy the cleanest cars available. It also suggests motoring taxes must be raised for motorists who buy vehicles with high emissions. The government must ensure that manufacturers are encouraged to introduce cleaner technologies and safety systems in cars, which consumers are then encouraged to buy, Committee chairman, Gwyneth Dunwoody, also said: "The U.K. must not miss the opportunity to have cars on our roads within the next decade that prevent someone driving if they are drunk, uninsured or untaxed." SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said 'The Cars of the Future report' recognises the 'great steps' the automotive industry has taken to address the important issues of safety and environmental performance, but suggested that government must take a lead in stimulating further R&D to maximise the UK's competitive advantage in the supply of new technology to global automotive markets. "By leading the way in developing new technologies and minimising environmental impact, the motor industry is helping to make road transport more sustainable. Government must now heed the Committee's call to show greater leadership in creating the infrastructure, financial and legal frameworks to allow these new technologies to benefit all road users.," he said today. CLEANER VEHICLES The SMMT welcomed the Committee's call for a non-prescriptive approach to cleaner fuels and technologies. "Incentives are important in generating consumer demand. In the past these have been short-lived and too variable, leaving consumers confused and disappointed," said the Society. When it comes to stimulating consumer demand, the current incentive structure is inadequate, feels the SMMT. "Currently, consumers are not guaranteed to receive a Powershift grant at the time of buying a qualifying car. This does not help encourage people to take up the available technologies." INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS On the subject of intelligent transport systems, the Society welcomed the recognition that the industry is 'investing considerable sums in developing and testing new systems of vehicle control, adding that Advanced braking systems, electronic stability programmes, and lane departure warnings are already available. "Government must ensure that there is appropriate co-ordination across regulatory and enforcement authorities to maximise the benefits," it said. CONSUMER The report also recommends the introduction of a green labelling scheme for new cars. The SMMT is already working with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership to introduce a new energy efficiency style label for new cars. This voluntary approach to environmental information could be available towards the end of 2005. Motor manufacturers are providing the appropriate training for their franchised dealer networks. Environmental performance is only one of the factors consumers take into consideration when buying a new car, points-out the SMMT. The challenge for manufacturers is to deliver a complete package that meets all requirements, including style, price and utility. Source : www.autowired.co.uk/news/article.aspx?storyid=12844 Please click here for Japanese Auto Auctions |