Transport & Environment
Old arguments risk derailing Europe’s 2030 climate efforts
For Europe to safeguard its climate targets and ensure its place in the global automotive sector, more ambitious CO2 standards for cars and vans are needed. Lawmakers should not be distracted by negative arguments coming from some in the industry, writes Julia Poliscanova.
How the IPCC report contradicts the EU’s vision on shipping
The inclusion of natural gas in the European Commission's proposal on low-carbon shipping fuels is incompatible with the recommendations of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), writes Faig Abbasov.
For how long will flying less remain the best way to reduce aviation’s climate impact?
While technological solutions may cut aviation emissions in the future, flying less is the best option to reduce our climate impact now, writes Andrew Murphy.
Car emissions law delay will harm air quality for years to come
The release of a new EU proposal setting car emission standards has been pushed back again, with a date now fixed for July 2022. This delay will lead to dirtier cars on the road, exacerbating air pollution levels for years to come, writes Anna Krajinska.
Will there be enough metals to sustain the electric vehicle revolution?
Soaring demand for electric vehicles coupled with global battery supply chain issues caused production problems for carmakers last year. But the disruptions seen in 2021 are unlikely to become the new normal for three reasons, writes Julia Poliscanova of Transport & Environment.
‘Don’t Look Up’: The engine-makers’ answer to the climate crisis
Netflix’s new comedy film Don’t Look Up may be a heightened parody of the climate crisis, but scenes from the film recall the latest lobbying campaign to keep fossil fuel engines on our roads, argues Alex Keynes.
EU decision makers can supercharge the shift to electric vehicles
Despite progress, barriers remain to electric vehicle (EV) uptake in eastern and southern Europe. But the right EU policies can speed up the electric mobility shift across the continent, benefiting consumers and the environment, argue Monique Goyens and Julia Poliscanova.
Putin, green gas and the EU’s looming energy fiasco
Nobody in the world has so much to win, or lose, in the battle against the economy's oil and gas addiction as Europe. This is a time for leadership, not for appeasement or mixed signals to Russia and the oil and gas industry, writes William Todts.
Why is the European Commission dismantling the continent’s most successful EV charging model?
The Netherlands is a world leader in EV charging infrastructure, thanks partly to their use of multipliers – a statistical method that encourages the use of renewable energy in transport. But the European Commission's decision to eliminate multipliers for electricity will destroy the successful Dutch model, argues William Todts.
Green hydrogen: robbing ‘electricity Peter’ to pay ‘transport Paul’?
An upcoming EU Delegated Act should stipulate that green hydrogen be produced from additional renewables, argues Geert De Cock.
Carmakers are killing our right to clean air
The car industry has fiercely criticised proposed Euro 7 emissions standards, claiming the regulation will cripple sales. But this is just another chapter in a long history of misleading the public, writes Anna Krajinska.
The EU’s green fuels law uses tools from the combustion engine age. It’s time for a change
Green electricity seems set to be the transport fuel of the future, but an unwillingness to look beyond the internal combustion engine has led to a focus on biofuels. The EU should allow fuel suppliers to meet environmental targets with renewable electricity, writes Geert De Cock.
Europe has overtaken China on electric cars. Three roadblocks stand in the way
Europe had a strong head start in electric cars in 2020, but the roadblocks of weak regulation, road cap-and-trade system and – above all – detour into e-fuels all stand in the way of Europe's ambition on zero emissions mobility, writes Julia Poliscanova.
Germany’s EU presidency: A chance to boost electric cars at home and abroad
Germany’s six-month-long stint at the helm of the EU Council Presidency will see it preside over talks on the Commission’s planned €750 billion recovery fund. Stef Cornelis explains why Berlin should ensure those talks result in a green agreement between...
How to keep cities pollution-free after virus lockdowns lift
As authorities across Europe prepare for a stepwise lift of coronavirus lockdown measures, they are facing a make-or-break moment for urban mobility. Yoann Le Petit details four proven strategies that should keep cities free of pollution as normality starts to return.
Out with the old (engines), in with the new
Europe is at a crossroads, thanks in part to the coronavirus outbreak's massive impact on the economy. Julia Poliscanova explains which fork in the road the car industry should take and the role electric vehicles should play.
How to save airlines the right way
As the virus crisis continues to unfold, more and more airlines are grounding flights - some entirely. But carriers must take their responsibilities to society more seriously if they are to be given any public cash, insists William Todts.
Road transport in the EU ETS: A high-risk, low-reward strategy
The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is not a good instrument to cut road transport emissions because it will raise petrol prices and fuel popular discontent, as seen in the past with the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ protests, writes William Todts. Road emissions...
Berlin and Brussels should realise that e-fuels for trucks are a bad, expensive bet
The world's largest truckmaker does not think that e-fuels are a viable way to decarbonise heavy transport. Stef Cornelis explains here why he could not agree more.
High time we start taking renewable electricity seriously as a transport fuel
Transport's contribution to EU emissions is more and more in the spotlight. Geert De Cock explains what the European Commission should do to get more renewable energy into our vehicles.
Is Madrid really about to kill Europe’s most successful clean air zone?
Madrid’s clean air zone could be axed by the city’s new mayor, despite the reported benefits. Jens Müller urges the new leadership to take a look at the hard facts.
Belgium opens way toward fair tax on aviation pollution
Belgium’s proposal for Europe to tax aviation is most welcome and could address the current measures that are inadequate to address climbing emissions, writes Bill Hemmings.
E-trucks: European automakers’ third and final chance to get electrification right
Have European manufacturers learned from developments in the car and bus markets? Or will American and Chinese companies lead the way to tomorrow's zero emission freight transport? Lucien Mathieu poses some tough questions ahead of a big decision by EU negotiators.