Transport
The Brief, powered by WindEurope – Come fly with me
A new in-vogue campaign promise has emerged at the tail-end of the European elections campaign: taxing airplane fuel. But is it just another empty pledge destined to fall by the wayside or could it actually take off?
Trade associations lag behind companies on climate action – report
More and more companies are transitioning to climate-friendly business practices. But a study by the British think tank InfluenceMap shows that trade associations representing them in Brussels are lagging behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Airbus now wants to remain in UK regardless of Brexit outcome
European planemaker Airbus wants to stay in the UK whatever the outcome of Brexit, as the country is "a very important pillar" for the company, new CEO Guillaume Faury said on Tuesday (21 May), amending negative comments made by his predecessor. VideoPromoted content
Celebrating 50 years of Airbus’ European manufacturing system
On his first day as Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury highlighted Airbus 50th anniversary as a chance to reflect on who we are and where we come from.
Europe’s first mega battery factory gets EIB blessing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is on the verge of granting €350 million to a Swedish company for what will be Europe’s first mega-sized battery factory, the EU lender announced on Thursday (16 May).
The Brief, powered by ifaw – Europe’s Formula One lesson
Strange as it may sound, the EU could learn a lot from the glitzy and nostalgic world of Formula One, which recently underwent the ‘big refresh’ many people want for the European project.
Brussels transport gets overhaul, courtesy of teenagers
Brussels is well known for its chocolate, its variety of beers, its art-deco buildings… and its traffic jams. High school students from all around Europe have now presented their proposals to make the town's mobility system more sustainable, thanks to the Sci-tech challenge.
Paris takes pesky e-scooter fleets to task
Paris authorities have warned operators of the thousands of electric scooters that have inundated the city to keep them off pavements or face a temporary ban amid rising complaints from pedestrians.
Netherlands ready to start taxing air travel
The Dutch government will introduce a €7 levy per air passenger in 2021 if the EU does not manage to set up a pan-European tax, as momentum builds behind calls to crack down on aviation’s environmental impact.
Transport Brief – Dodgy diesel, awful airports and surprising sheep
This is your weekly EURACTIV Transport Brief, the one port of call for all the news from the world of mobility and much more! Sign up here for free.
Jet fuel tax hopes lifted by leaked EU report
Aviation carbon emissions would fall by 11% or 16.4 million tonnes if the EU were to scrap jet fuel’s tax derogation, according to a leaked European Commission study.
What Daimler’s move on carbon-neutral cars says about the industry
Daimler, one of the world’s leading producers of premium cars and commercial vehicles, has announced new commitments to make its entire passenger car fleet carbon neutral by the close of 2039. This is the most ambitious timeline among any of the leading automakers and signals a rapid acceleration in the shift towards zero-carbon transport, writes Nigel Topping.Editor's picks
Eight EU airports among world’s ten worst
Eight of the world’s ten worst airports are located in the EU, according to a new survey released by a leading passenger rights group last week. Only three of the top ten airports are in EU countries.
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with German Economic Minister Peter Altmaier
Germany's Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier met with Claire Stam from EURACTIV Germany. Among other things, they discussed the 'New Silk Road', the battery alliance with France, climate change and power lines between northern and southern Germany.
Diesel tax perks should be slashed, says new study
Emission-testing results show that diesel cars can emit more carbon dioxide and are more expensive than their petrol counterparts, according to a new study released on Wednesday (8 May) by the organisation that lifted the lid on the Dieselgate scandal.
Antidote to poisonous populism is a new Pact for a fair, resilient and a sustainable Europe
The EU must counter poisonous populism with a rEUnaissance delivering a new economic and social contract and hope to European citizens, writes Luca Jahier.
China defends rejigged ‘Belt and Road’ initiative against EU criticism
“The 'Belt and Road' cooperation is entering into a new stage,” the Chinese ambassador to the EU Zhang Ming promised on Monday (6 May), questioning the EU's reluctance to join China's massive infrastructure programme.
Is technology about to overcome the ‘too heavy to electrify’ obstacle?
The scientific literature remains sceptical about trucks becoming battery-operated due to the cost and weight of large battery packs. But that could change soon as costs of battery packs continues to fall, writes Björn Nykvist.
EU industrial policy under the spotlight as elections loom
As the EU gears up for a big refresh after May’s elections, there is growing consent among business leaders that incoming policymakers should refocus attention and resources on industrial policy, particularly in the continent's most valuable sectors.
EU looks into ‘Airbus-style’ Franco-German battery plans
France and Germany launched an Airbus-style €6 billion foray into the battery-building business on Thursday (2 May), as the EU's attempts to corner a slice of a growing global market started to pay off.
Tesla expects global shortage of electric vehicle battery minerals – sources
US electric car maker Tesla expects global shortages of nickel, copper and other battery minerals down the road due to underinvestment in the mining sector, the company’s global supply manager for battery metals told an industry conference on Thursday (2 May), according to two sources.
Visegrad countries fight to keep pace with e-mobility transition
Central Europe falls under the EU average of electric vehicle market penetration. But it doesn’t want to be left behind by the global trend, leaping into battery production and dreaming even bigger. EURACTIV's network partners report.
Britain cancels ill-fated Brexit ferries
Britain said Wednesday (1 May) it has cancelled ferry contracts intended to ensure the supply of critical products if it leaves the EU with no Brexit deal, at a cost of £50 million (€58m).