New solar-powered three-wheeler motorcycle helping to clean up Nairobi

Sophie Mbugua writes on the Deutsche Welle website about a new initiative to promote solar powered motorcycles in Kenya. Pollution is a big problem that needs innovative approaches. Importantly, electric motorcycles do not require an investment in new transport infrastructure such as the installation of special charging stations. It will be interesting to see how … Continue reading New solar-powered three-wheeler motorcycle helping to clean up Nairobi →

Daimler announced in December that it is making major effort on batteries

Before the end of the year, Daimler announced it was going to spend €21 billion (US $23 billion) on batteries and manufacturing facilities as it gears up on electric vehicles. Charles Riley explains in an article on the CNN website. The maker of Mercedes cars is spending $23 billion on batteries The maker of … Continue reading Daimler announced in December that it is making major effort on batteries →

What is the true impact of fuel economy standards on the poor?

Energy efficiency policies in the US certainly have their challenging moments. Steve Hanley writes a spirited article on the CleanTechnica website about the divergent views on fuel economy standards for vehicles on the most vulnerable. What are your views? Big Oil Claims Higher Fuel Economy Standards Hurt Poor People The Most. That's A Lie. … Continue reading What is the true impact of fuel economy standards on the poor? →

London’s world-famous black cabs are major polluters

When one visits London, there is nothing but amazement for the ubiquitous black cabs. While there are moves to have more electric vehicles, at this point in time they are still major polluters. Harry Cockburn explains in an article on The Independent website. London’s black cabs ‘up to thirty times as toxic as personal cars … Continue reading London’s world-famous black cabs are major polluters →

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 →