Van manufacturers to publish CO2 figures.

Van manufacturers have agreed to release CO2 emission figures for their vehicles, giving UK businesses the vital information they need to make the most efficient and environmentally friendly transport.The move was announced after a six-month campaign by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to demand CO2 data for vans, on behalf of their members. BVRLA members rent and lease out around 320,000 vans in the UK. The BVRLA have affirmed that they will maintain pressure on the SMMT (The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited) to ensure that the CO2 data is released into the market quickly.“We understand that the SMMT is now in discussion with the Department for Transport about publishing the emissions figures, probably via the Vehicle Certification Agency,” said BVRLA director general, John Lewis.A record number of nearly 340,000 new vans hit UK roads in 2007, led by medium and large sized models. According to the Department of Transport, vans are now the fastest growing source of road transport CO2 emissions, accounting for around 15%.Since 1 January 2008, manufacturers have been required to register the CO2 emissions (based on engine emissions) for all new vans. Although the data is published in Germany and some other EU countries, manufacturers have chosen not to publish figures for vans sold in the UK.The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) has said this is because it has concerns about the way in which CO2 is measured for vans. It claims that the figures are not accurate enough when you take into account the huge variety of body configurations (tipper, Luton, panel van, etc), vehicle weights, payloads, etc that can be used with the same van engine.The European Commission is currently reviewing the way van emissions are measured – unfortunately this could take years.“When our Members talk to their customers they are regularly asked for information about van emissions,” said John Lewis.“Many of them are operating thousands of vans and their decisions have a major impact on the UK environment.”Faye Sunderland

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