In discussions with the 2007 SAE-International President Richard Schaum, he emphasised the need for 'legislation' to bring about the desired changes in our use of non-renewables. At the core is Government, the raft of environmental levies and concessions in the UK is now leading the world in responsible transport emissions policy. BIK is an index against which Company Cars are taxed according to their environmental friendliness. The Road Fund License is also gradated this way according to Vehicle Excess Duty (VED) Banding A through G - the best cars paying nothing and the least green an extra £400 a year. Set in the context of early UK energy policy, the Congestion Charging scheme was seen as a bold political risk when introduced in London, other European cities followed suit. The famous 'escalator' was employed by successive Governments to reduce extraneous driving and promote consumer demand for fuel-efficient cars. Geopolitics has driven oil prices skywards and whilst the effect on the global economy is debated, the drive towards green technology has become furious. US sales of cars have collapsed in 2008 with the exception of fuel-efficient models, many imported to the detriment of their economy and