Developments in batteries for electric cars

Pilita Clark wrote recently in the Financial Times about a new lithium battery that many feel will be a game changer. One can only hope. New battery aims to transform electric cars A new battery that promises to solve two of the biggest grumbles about electric cars – high prices and low driving ranges … Continue reading Developments in batteries for electric cars →

New EU car fleet emissions performance in line with targets

The European Environment Agency recently reported that the efficiency of passenger cars and vans in the EU has improved over the past years, and the number of electric cars, albeit still low, is increasing rapidly. The report, which presents data on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from these vehicles, finds that, on average, both passenger cars … Continue reading New EU car fleet emissions performance in line with targets →

Is Denmark bending the rules on the EU Emissions Trading System?

Arthur Neslen writes in The Guardian about Denmark’s attempt to funnel car emissions into the emissions trading system. Are there comments from any of EiD’s readers? Denmark's plan to offset transport emissions sparks EU row A Danish bid to expand carbon offsetting to the transport sector has triggered uproar among NGOs and academics, with … Continue reading Is Denmark bending the rules on the EU Emissions Trading System? →

Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland

Frank McDonald writes in the Irish Times about the significant reduction in energy consumption by the switch to energy-efficient vehicles in Ireland. Fuel-efficient cars reduce energy use by a quarter Consumer preference for more fuel-efficient cars has reduced energy use in the transport sector by 25 per cent since 2007, according to data released … Continue reading Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland →

The age of the mass-market electric car will soon be here

Tesla, which builds electric cars for a niche market, is taking a new approach to now make the car affordable to a large market. As Kristine Owram writes in Canada’s National Post, this includes the construction of a new large-scale battery plant and plans for supercharger stations. Tesla moves closer to mass-market electric car … Continue reading The age of the mass-market electric car will soon be here →

Fleets start to take action under the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive

It is good to see how industry is waking up to the obligations under the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive. This article from the Fleet News website shows how large fleets are learning about what those obligations entail. Large fleets targeted by EU energy efficiency legislation Energy used by company cars and vans, including the … Continue reading Fleets start to take action under the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive →

Europe leading the way in e-bikes

Daily we see more bicycles that are largely powered by batteries to speed up that trip to work or whatever. Many companies are even using them for deliveries. Danny Hakimaug writes a good article in the New York Times about the developments in Europe. E-Bike Sales Are Surging in Europe With a faint electric whir, … Continue reading Europe leading the way in e-bikes →

We cannot ignore aviation’s contribution to GHG emissions

As many of us take to the skies to far off holidays, we should note the impact of air travel on GHG emissions. This is not to put a damper on our northern summer but at some point we are going to have to address this more effectively. The Press Association provides a good news … Continue reading We cannot ignore aviation’s contribution to GHG emissions →

Developments in the use of renewable energy for shipping

Motorship.com provides a good article on a new collaboration to develop important renewable energy and fuel-saving solutions for the shipping industry. Shipping renewable energy innovation project is launched Japan-based Eco Marine Power (EMP) and Blue Star Ferries of Greece, part of the Attica group, are to collaborate on development of renewable energy and fuel-saving … Continue reading Developments in the use of renewable energy for shipping →

Mixed messages over the role of diesel to power our vehicles

Fiona Harvey writes in the Guardian about the confusion over how “green” diesel fuel is. She writes that diesel's popularity with motorists has surged, but its green image was an illusion. Now concern is growing over the damage caused by emissions, with children particularly vulnerable. While not in her article, countries such as France have … Continue reading Mixed messages over the role of diesel to power our vehicles →