To coincide with the celebration of its 10-year anniversary, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) presented special awards to two organisations – one public sector and one private - for their endeavours to cut carbon emissions from UK road transport over the last decade.

Ford and Transport for London (TfL) were awarded with special anniversary accolades for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Low Carbon Transport over the last 10 years’.

Meanwhile, Graham Smith, managing director of Toyota Motor Europe was named the ‘Outstanding Individual in Promoting Low Carbon Transport’.

The winners were announced at the LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards which followed the Partnership’s 10th anniversary celebration at One Birdcage Walk, in Westminster, this week.

The events were held with the support of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

LowCVP’s managing director Andy Eastlake said: “These awards recognise best practice, and outstanding leadership and innovation in cutting carbon from vehicles and fuels from every angle.

“The judges had a tough time deciding on the category winners as the variety and calibre of the entries were higher than ever, which just reflects how the whole industry is rising to the challenge of low carbon mobility.”

The winner of the prestigious Low Carbon Car/Van Manufacturer of the Year went to Toyota.

The judges said that Toyota has been a pioneer in low carbon mobility in the UK since the launch of the first Prius in 2000. It reasserted its position in 2012 by successfully introducing full hybrid technology into new segments to the extent that cars emitting less than 100g/km now represent more than 30% of Toyota and Lexus sales.

The stunning all new Routemaster bus or ‘New Bus for London’ provided Wrightbus with the ‘Low Carbon Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year Award’.

The judging panel comprised 28 senior executives from across the range of organisations with a stake in this agenda. A total of 39 entries were shortlisted for awards.

One of the judges, Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “This year’s entrants demonstrate the commitment there is in this sector to shifting our vehicles and fuels towards low carbon. The award winners show that innovation and sustainability are areas that must be invested in by companies in order to succeed.”

Full list of awards

Outstanding Individual in Promoting Low Carbon Transport
Graham Smith – managing director Toyota Motor Europe, London Office

Outstanding Achievement in Low Carbon Transport over the last 10 Years – joint winners: Ford Motor Company and Transport for London

2012 Award for Low Carbon Innovation by an SME
Joint winners: Williams Hybrid Power with Go-Ahead Group and Controlled Power Technologies/Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium

2012 Outstanding Low Carbon Publication or Report
International Energy Agency (Technology Roadmap/Policy Pathway)

Low Carbon Car/Van Manufacturer of the Year
Toyota (GB)

Low Carbon Fuel Initiative of the Year
Greenergy Fuels – winner
BP Biofuels – runner-Up
Air Fuel Synthesis – highly commended

Low Carbon Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year
Wrightbus with Transport for London – winner
The Hardstaff Group – runner-up

Low Carbon Road Transport Initiative of the Year
Charge Your Car (North)

Low Carbon Vehicle Operator of the Year
Coca-Cola Enterprises – winner
John Lewis Partnership Commercial Vehicle Fleet – runner-up
Howard Tenens Associates – highly commended

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