Despite receiving verbal confirmation that van manufacturers will release CO2 emission figures, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is disappointed the figures won't be published until the autumn at the earliest. Since 1 January, manufacturers have been required to register their CO2 emissions (based on engine emissions) for all new vans. Although the data is published in Germany and some other EU countries, UK manufacturers and the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) have been reluctant to release the figures.
The SMMT argues that the way in which CO2 is measured for vans is not accurate enough when you take into account the huge variety of body configurations (tipper, Luton, panel van, etc), vehicle weights and payloads that can be used with the same van engine. For example, one van maker has more than 500 derivatives of one model range and van manufacturers do not want to test each model derivative to determine its emissions.
However, after five 
months of campaigning by the BVRLA, the SMMT has now agreed to publish the figures. Speaking to MT, Robin Dickeson, the SMMT's manager of CV affairs, says: "We are in the process of working with the Department for Transport on an agenda for the release of the figures, but I doubt they will be available before mid-autumn at the earliest. In the meantime, manufacturers should be able to provide some information on emissions to customers themselves."
Although the BVRLA welcomes the development, John Lewis, director general of the BVRLA, says "the pace at which they are moving is bitterly disappointing". "Our members are being asked regularly for CO2 emissions data by their customers. Many of them operate thousands of vans and their decisions have a major impact on the UK environment, as well as on their own pockets," adds Lewis.
In the meantime, the BVRLA has been working with consultant Clifford Thames and hopes to provide CO2 emissions data on its website within the next few weeks.