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Government 'could do more' to reduce freight emissions

The government should invest more into developing alternative fuels in order to cut CO2 emissions produced by freight transport, according to one expert.

Professor Rod Smith told the Institution of Mechanical Engineers that is calling upon the government to commit at least £10 billion to hydrogen fuel research.

"The overall message is fairly grim unless we do something radical. We need fewer, shorter reports and more action from the government," he said.

Professor Smith believes that the UK is not on track to meet its target of reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and so the government must prioritise hydrogen as the best alternative fuel.

He claims in his Energy for Transport report that 33 per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions come from transport, including UK road haulage services.

In terms of alternative fuels for the road haulage industry and other users of road transport, hydrogen is the most promising, according to Professor Smith. He fears, however, that the UK is at least 25 years away from a "hydrogen-based economy".

The European Commission has recently announced plans to fine car manufacturers whose models emit more than 120g/km of CO2. If approved, it is thought the measures would be introduced in 2012.

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