Transport & Environment
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.
Aviation risks undercutting EU’s new renewables rules
The ink is barely dry on the EU’s revised renewable energy policy and already it is under threat from the aviation sector, warn Jori Sihvonen and Andrew Murphy.
Time for Austrian presidency to make a deal on car CO2 or go home
The last time a car CO2 regulation was negotiated in 2013, the agreement was blocked at the last moment by Germany, resulting in a year of delay and renegotiation. This year, it looks like history could be about to repeat itself, writes Greg Archer.
Seeing is believing: How redesigning trucks can eliminate blindspots
Sensors have a role to play for pedestrian safety, particularly for the areas around a truck where the driver cannot see directly. But they shouldn’t replace direct vision through the windows of the vehicle, writes Samuel Kenny.
Why rewarding renewable fuels under the truck CO2 regulation would be a bad idea
It may sound like a good thing to reward advanced fuels. But doing it under the CO2 standards for heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) would not achieve this goal and would only end up weakening EU fuel efficiency standards, says Cristina Mestre.
Everything you need to know about Wednesday’s cars CO2 vote
While most of the political attention is – rightly – focused on the headline target for CO2 reduction, the discussion on car emissions has also much more to it, writes Greg Archer.
Electric trucks are necessary and coming anyway
Electric trucks will come – and fast. More and more studies show that they are not only feasible to build, but also profitable to operate. And zero emission trucks will be needed to meet the Paris climate goals, write Stef Cornelis and Thomas Earl.
Devil in the detail of Europe’s 2050 transport model
As the EU puts together a mid-century climate strategy, Carlos Calvo Ambel explains how the Commission’s choice of modelling could be severely underestimating what emission cuts can be gained from the transport sector.
The battle for low carbon cars: Round 2
The debate on CO2 targets for cars and vans in Europe by 2030 is shaping up to be another epic fight, write Greg Archer and Julia Poliscanova.
The UN is failing on all fronts to tackle the climate impact of flying
ICAO's proposed offsetting scheme for aviation emissions, known as CORSIA, will cover a mere 6% of projected CO2 emissions accumulated to 2050, writes Bill Hemmings, saying CORSIA fails the Paris Agreement test miserably.
Ambitious CO2 standards for trucks are good for businesses, and the climate
The starting point for truck emission rules must be cost-effectiveness, writes James Nix. But it will take tough standards to ensure R&D is deployed at scale on most vehicles, he argues.
EU unable to contain explosion in unsustainable biodiesel imports
Imports of Argentine soy biodiesel, which are among the most unsustainable of biofuels, have exploded in recent months because the EU lost a trade case at the WTO, writes Kristina Wittkopp.