The port of Hamburg is to build an experimental magnetic “hyperloop” track

Hamburg is planning to build a hyperloop, not for passengers, but for goods. Oliver Moody provides a good article in The Times about latest developments. Hamburg to send parcels at speed of sound in hyperloop The port of Hamburg is to build an experimental magnetic “hyperloop” track that could propel goods to their destination … Continue reading The port of Hamburg is to build an experimental magnetic “hyperloop” track →

Comparing electric and hydrogen vehicles

It is encouraging to see the developments underway in our low-carbon energy transition. This is definitely true for transport. Jake Whitehead, Robin Smit and Simon Washington from the University of Queensland discuss the relative strengths of electric and hydrogen vehicles in an article on The Conversation website. What are your views? Why battery-powered vehicles … Continue reading Comparing electric and hydrogen vehicles →

Investigative journalism shows that the International Maritime Organization is allowing “emissions cheating” to dodge emissions enforcement

We have had enforcement issues with the tests of diesel vehicles. Now Sandra Laville writes in The Guardian about accusations of possible cheating in shipping. UN shipping agency accused of secrecy over maritime pollution The UN agency responsible for cutting shipping emissions to combat climate change has been accused of operating like a secretive … Continue reading Investigative journalism shows that the International Maritime Organization is allowing “emissions cheating” to dodge emissions enforcement →

A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050

It is interesting to see the mixed signals in the US. Well, maybe this is true in most countries, but with the foot dragging on climate and energy issues by the federal administration, it is encouraging to see a diverse coalition including manufacturers, consumer groups, utilities, environmental groups, and public officials taking action to cut … Continue reading A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050 →

Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport

We have many urban issues to deal with in the low-carbon energy transition. Air pollution that deals with transport and our built environment is but one of them. It is encouraging to see that one city in France has taken the bold step to offer entirely free public transport to residents and visitors alike. Kim … Continue reading Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport →

Agreement reached in Germany to address the uncertainty over the future of older diesel vehicles

We have read so much about the impact of diesel vehicles in the past year. There have been scandals over emissions and there have been concerns about the emissions from older vehicles. In a news item on the Deutsche Welle website, Germany's coalition government has announced details of a wide-ranging diesel deal. The agreement hopes … Continue reading Agreement reached in Germany to address the uncertainty over the future of older diesel vehicles →

Concerns about shipping in the Arctic

Edward Struzik, Fellow, Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, School of Policy Studies at Queen's University in Canada writes on The Conversation website about some of the major concerns about the increased interest in Arctic shipping now that climate change has made the region more vulnerable. As ice recedes, the Arctic isn’t prepared … Continue reading Concerns about shipping in the Arctic →

Air pollution: study shows that type of vehicles on road matters more than total traffic volume

The Phys.org provides a news item on a recent study from the University of Toronto reveals that the type of vehicles rolling past residential areas can matter more than total traffic volume in determining the amount of air pollution they breathe. Large trucks are biggest culprits of near-road air pollution For the 30 per cent … Continue reading Air pollution: study shows that type of vehicles on road matters more than total traffic volume →

Flying is not always the fastest and cheapest travel options

We often have a dilemma when travelling in Europe where there are good airline and train options. Flights often seem to be the fastest and cheapest travel options. That's not so, as shown by an article by Tom Wills on the Deutsche Welle website. Factoring in transit time and environmental damage, Wills show how to … Continue reading Flying is not always the fastest and cheapest travel options →

Expert reaction to Trump administration plans to roll back on fuel efficiency standards for vehicles

While announced a week ago, there is still great concern about the pull back on fuel efficiency standards. Alyssa Danigelis provides a good article on the Environmental Leader website about the reaction from auto industry experts. Auto Industry Responds To Fuel Efficiency Standards Rollbacks In the wake of the Trump administration’s announcement last week … Continue reading Expert reaction to Trump administration plans to roll back on fuel efficiency standards for vehicles →