A new proposal to
encourage more lorry drivers to take eco-driver training could
save up to 3 million tonnes of CO2 over five years and £300
million in fuel costs, according to Transport Minister Paul Clark.
The plans - which include making eco driver training for LGV
drivers a mandatory part of the EU Driver Certificate of
Professional Competence (Driver CPC) - aim to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from the freight sector.
Paul Clark said:
“We are absolutely committed to reducing emissions from across
the transport sector. Given that 20% of all transport emissions
come from road freight, these drivers must be a priority.
“With initiatives like this I am confident we will succeed in
creating a greener and cleaner industry fit to meet the
environmental challenges we face.”
The consultation - which will be open for around 16 weeks - sets
out the options which will enable 90% of lorry drivers to receive
eco-driver training. Also included are plans to increase promotion
of the benefits of eco-driving training to encourage greater take up.
The measures support a commitment by the Department for Transport
to save an additional 85 million tonnes of CO2 from domestic
transport from 2018-2022.
The consultation also considers the possibility of making the
eco-driving training a mandatory part of bus drivers CPC.
Notes to Editors
1. The eco-driving consultation document commenced 8 March 2010
and is open until 30 June 2010. It can be accessed on the DfT
website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-11/.
2. Emissions from freight movements stem primarily from the road
sector, with Large Goods vehicles (LGVs) representing 20 per cent
of total domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions. The DfT’s
preliminary analysis showed that if 90 per cent of LGV drivers
were eco-driving trained, and continued to drive in that manner,
up to 3 million tonnes of CO 2 could be saved over a five year
carbon budgetary period and £300 million in fuel costs could be
saved for the industry per year.
3. As part of the Government’s Carbon Reduction Strategy for
Transport, Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future,
published in July 2009, the Department therefore committed to
exploring how to achieve a 90 per cent uptake of eco-driving
courses for LGV drivers, and to consulting on the options for
doing so, including whether making eco-driving training a
mandatory part of the EU Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence (Driver CPC) will help us do this. This consultation
document fulfils that commitment.
4. The EU Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence (Driver CPC) was introduced across the European
Community to maintain high driving standards and improve road
safety (European Directive 2003/59/EC). All professional bus,
coach and lorry drivers must hold a Driver CPC if they want to
drive for a living, which is a separate qualification from a
driver’s vocational driving license. Driver CPC for bus drivers
was implemented in September 2008 and for LGV drivers in September
2009. The regulations require all drivers to complete a minimum of
35 hours of periodic training every five years. Currently in the
UK, operators and drivers can determine which training subjects to
undertake, chosen from an approved list of training.
5. We are also consulting on whether to make
eco-driving training a mandatory component of periodic training
for Driver CPC for PCV drivers (who are currently operating
under the same regulations as LGV drivers in relation to Driver
CPC).
6. More information on Driver CPC can be accessed
at Directgov:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_171186
.
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