WIREDGOV

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 .