Why is it so difficult—and expensive—to take the train across European countries and how can train travel truly take off and compete with low-cost airlines?

There is growing concern whether Europe’s trains will be able to compete with low-cost airlines? Ondrej Gomola discusses many of the issues that are impeding more widespread travel by trains in Europe in an article on The Perspective website. For those with access to the Financial Times (behind a paywall), there is a “big read” … Continue reading Why is it so difficult—and expensive—to take the train across European countries and how can train travel truly take off and compete with low-cost airlines? →

Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars

New analysis by Transport & Environment shows how the car market is being distorted by large SUVs. The analysis is discussed in an article on the T&E website. Carmakers are failing to deliver affordable electric cars, holding back EV adoption – analysis Only 17% of electric cars sold are in the more affordable ‘B’ … Continue reading Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars →

A whole ecosystem has developed in France over the past two years around rail travel, seen by young urbanites as the antithesis of polluting airplanes

From specialised media platforms to travel agencies and influencers, a whole ecosystem has developed in France over the past two years around rail travel, seen by young urbanites as the antithesis of polluting airplanes. In an article on the Le Monde website, Jessica Gourdon discusses how young people are taking a more sustainable approach to … Continue reading A whole ecosystem has developed in France over the past two years around rail travel, seen by young urbanites as the antithesis of polluting airplanes →

Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking

The vote, to be held next February 4th, will be the second city-wide referendum on urban matters, after residents in April voted to ban rental e-scooters from the capital. An AFP news item on the Le Monde website discusses the upcoming referendum. Paris will have residents vote on increasing parking fees for heavy SUVs … Continue reading Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking →

Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe

Research commissioned by the European Mobility4All campaign provides disappointing reading for those who thought that our governments had turned a corner and were giving more attention to our rail systems. Rail networks in most countries have been starved of funding while motorways lengthen, the study shows. Ajit Niranjan explains in an article on the Guardian … Continue reading Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe →

Paris city hall is to impose higher parking fees on owners of SUVs in its battle to reduce pollution in the capital

The number of SUVs in the city has increased by 60% over the last four years and they now make up 15% of the 1.15m private vehicles parked in Paris every evening. Size, weight and motor will be taken into account city officials plan to increase parking fees as of next January 1st. Kim Willsher … Continue reading Paris city hall is to impose higher parking fees on owners of SUVs in its battle to reduce pollution in the capital →

New analysis by EEA on how digital solutions are deployed and how they affect overall transport demand

Digital technologies offer opportunities to mitigate the impacts of Europe’s mobility sector — from air pollution, noise, accidents and time wasted in congestions, to land-take, habitat fragmentation and growing GHG emissions. However, according to a new analysis by the European Environment Agency (EEA), these gains depend on how digital solutions are deployed and how they … Continue reading New analysis by EEA on how digital solutions are deployed and how they affect overall transport demand →

Sweden plans road that would allow electric cars to charge themselves as they are driven along its surface

The e-motorway, which is due to be completed in about two years, is part of wider efforts by Sweden to decarbonise the transport sector. James Rothwell discusses latest developments in an article on The Telegraph website. Sweden plans to build world’s first electrified motorway Sweden has announced plans to build the world’s first electrified … Continue reading Sweden plans road that would allow electric cars to charge themselves as they are driven along its surface →

Connecting Europe by train: European Commission announces 10 pilot services to boost cross-border rail

This week the European Commission announced it will support 10 pilot projects to establish new rail services or improve existing ones. Together, they will improve cross-border rail connections across the EU, making them faster, more frequent and more affordable. After careful evaluation, the Commission has selected the following proposals for cross-border pilot services, in order … Continue reading Connecting Europe by train: European Commission announces 10 pilot services to boost cross-border rail →

The demand for electric tuk-tuks is growing in Thailand

Thailand suffers from serious air pollution problems in its big cities like Bangkok. Mobility is dominated by cars and there are efforts to increase the number of electric vehicles. In cities tuk-tuks play a major role and traditional ones are highly polluting. Now, as Rebecca Root explains in an article on The Guardian website, electric … Continue reading The demand for electric tuk-tuks is growing in Thailand →