Green lorry training proposal to cut carbon emissions

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.

Posted Monday March 8^th 2010
By Department for Transport