LowCVP renames to Zemo Partnership; net zero is new target

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) has announced today that it is to change its name to the Zemo Partnership. The name change reflects the Partnership’s ambition to achieve net zero UK road transport emissions by 2050.

Claiming that ‘low’ is no longer good enough, the non-profit organisation – which was set up in 2003 to accelerate a shift to cleaner fuels and vehicles – will ask its 200 plus member organisations to commit to a new Partnership Charter supporting the objective of accelerating the transition in UK transport to zero emissions.

A Zemo Partnership website, visual identity and social media campaign will follow to support the name change. The organisation says a programme of initiatives will be released later this year.

Despite an overall reduction in emissions in road transport, Zemo says the sector remains the UK’s largest contributor – responsible for about 28% – of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The UK passed a law in 2019 requiring the UK to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Andy Eastlake, Zemo Partnership Managing Director, says: “For the past 18 years LowCVP has played a pivotal role in helping to deliver the UK’s low emission transport targets.

“In 2020, over 10% of all new cars sold were ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), surpassing the target set out at the LowCVP’s inception in 2003.

“But today low is no longer enough and we must reset our targets, roll up our sleeves and focus on the road to zero.

“Reborn as Zemo Partnership, we are strengthening our commitment to make change happen faster and accelerate the transport transition to zero emissions.”

Adds Zemo Partnership Chair, Philip Sellwood CBE (pictured, left): “We are very aware that changing our name means nothing if it is not backed-up by tangible actions. We should not lose sight of the fact that the

Partnership and its members have built invaluable skills and knowledge over the past 18 years and, together, we are uniquely placed to support the achievement of the government’s leading-edge policy on net zero.

“Consequently, later this year, a new ‘Zemo Acceleration Programme’ of stand-out initiatives will be announced to demonstrate Zemo Partnership’s purpose and positioning to all our stakeholders.”