Reflecting on what Volkswagen’s errors means in human terms

We cannot just take enforcement lapses casually. What Volkswagen did to deceive the enforcement system has serious implications to our health, as discussed by Margot Sanger-Katz and John Schwartz in the New York Times. Assessing the Human Toll of Volkswagen’s Diesel Deception Volkswagen’s diesel deception unleashed tons of extra pollutants in the United States, … Continue reading Reflecting on what Volkswagen’s errors means in human terms →

Improving the energy performance of vehicles

This probably is not the best week to be discussing improvements in automobiles, given the crisis with Volkswagen and test measurements. However, there is no time like the present time, as they say. Business Vibes provides a good post on the Business 2 Community website about the technological developments that have improved energy performance. Especially … Continue reading Improving the energy performance of vehicles →

Loopholes will persist in new EU emissions tests for vehicles

The IEA first wrote about vehicle tests back in 1984 and one would think we have solved the problems in accuracy. Andy Sharman writes in the Financial Times that the new emissions test will do little to bring official results into line with reality. New emissions test still falls short, say critics A tough … Continue reading Loopholes will persist in new EU emissions tests for vehicles →

Wind energy to power entire Dutch train system by 2018

Darwin Malicdem writes on the International Business Times website about recent developments in The Netherlands to power its rail system with wind energy. This is definitely a welcome development. Dutch rail network set to run entirely on wind energy by 2018 Under a new green energy contract, about half of the electric trains will … Continue reading Wind energy to power entire Dutch train system by 2018 →

Latest developments in renewable energy for shipping

Hellenic Shipping News has an interesting article on the use of both wind and solar power for shipping. Wind and Solar Power for Ships: Renewable Energy for Greener Shipping The trend towards using renewable and alternative energy sources on land has gathered momentum over the last decade as the general public shipping companies and … Continue reading Latest developments in renewable energy for shipping →

England developing electric highways

Barry Cooper writes a good article in the Leicester Mercury about plants to install wireless power-transfer technology under roadways. This follows similar developments in South Korea where such systems charge its public buses as they are underway. Does anyone know about similar developments? Electric motorways to be put to the test in England Drivers … Continue reading England developing electric highways →

Lack of ambition in saving energy in the shipping industry

Wendy Laursen writes on the Maritime Executive website about a recent study that surveyed ship managers attitudes towards improving energy performance. The results are quite disappointing. No Energy for Fuel Efficiency Ambition levels for setting energy saving targets in the shipping industry are low. That’s one of the conclusions reached in DNV GL’s 2015 … Continue reading Lack of ambition in saving energy in the shipping industry →

Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU

In an article in the Guardian by Arthur Neslen, ministers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland and Finland say new CO2 goals would reduce motoring costs and aid the transition to zero-emission vehicles. EU states call for tough new car fuel efficiency targets The EU should set challenging new fuel efficiency targets for new cars … Continue reading Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU →

Are you ready for a driverless car?

Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post that new driverless vehicles will save energy and lower emissions. Are you convinced? A fleet of ‘robocabs’ could dramatically slash vehicle emissions, study suggests Whenever we hear the latest buzz about driverless vehicles — like the ones currently in development by Google — one of the first … Continue reading Are you ready for a driverless car? →

Seeking international agreement on controlling aviation GHG emissions

Ed Crooks provides a good article in the New York Times about US moves to address the public health and welfare concerns about GHG emissions from aircraft. The US is seeking an international agreement rather than a domestic standard, and that seems to make sense. US backs international regulations on aircraft emissions The US … Continue reading Seeking international agreement on controlling aviation GHG emissions →