Transport
EU Parliament unwilling to reject Commission’s biofuel criteria
Despite a strong negative reaction from EU farmers and industry, the European Parliament does not seem likely to oppose the Commission's delegated act on sustainability criteria for biofuels.
Europe grounds Boeing flights in wake of deadly crash
Europe's aviation regulator prohibited any flights by Boeing's 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft on Tuesday evening (12 March), as pressure built to respond to a deadly crash in Ethiopia at the weekend.
European, German companies pull ahead in new patent office report
The new European Patent Offices's 2018 report, released Tuesday (12 March) shows a European pull ahead of Chinese firm Huawei that dominated last year and an increase in European patent applications by 4.6%.
Honda’s electrifying Europe plans for 2025
At the Geneva Motor Show, Japanese car giant Honda pledged on Tuesday (5 March) to sell only electric cars in Europe by 2025. It also unveiled its first full electric battery car for European production.
Investors put airline emissions on the radar, deride short-term thinking
Some of the world’s leading airlines do not have emission-cutting plans than extend beyond 2020, according to new research backed by investors worth trillions of dollars.
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.
Tourism: A key driver for socio-economic progress
Tourism plays an important role in the EU because of its economic and employment potential, as well as its social and environmental implications. According to the European Commission, tourism is the third largest socio-economic activity in the EU, after the trade and construction sectors.
Brussels air quality tumbles, fails to trigger free transport
Fine particle matter in the EU capital’s air exceeded a warning threshold on Thursday (28 February) but did not worsen enough to trigger free public transport. In a separate development, one of the EU’s top lawyers urged governments to put monitoring stations where pollution is highest.
Dutch increase Air France-KLM stake to counter French influence
The Netherlands announced on Tuesday (26 February) the surprise purchase of a stake in Air France-KLM, saying it needed to protect Dutch interests after a series of rows about the alliance's management.
First truck completes Europe-China delivery in 12 days
The first overland delivery of European goods bound for China arrived safe and sound last week, in a good omen for Europe's hopes of making the East Asian superpower's ambitious Belt and Road initiative a two-way street.
Tesla taps China’s market ahead of schedule
US electric car giant Tesla has started delivering its Model 3 car in China slightly ahead of schedule, as it looks to revive sales that have been hit hard by Sino-US trade tensions.
Freight is the ‘Cinderella’ of emission cutting efforts
Global logistic emissions are a point of concern, as climate experts warn that failure to bring the sector to heel means the goals of the Paris Agreement will remain out of reach.Editor's picks
Poland to open electric vehicle factory, build tailor-made car
Polish energy companies are set to pool their resources and build an electric vehicles factory, as Warsaw targets 1 million EVs on the road by 2025.
EU climate laws completed as truck rules get green light
European Union negotiators hauled the first ever set of rules for heavy vehicle CO2 emissions across the line early on Tuesday morning (19 February), rounding off the current generation of climate laws.
Car giant Honda to scrap 3,500 jobs at UK plant
Japanese carmaker Honda confirmed that it will shutter its Swindon factory in 2022, where 3,500 workers ply their trade, after media reports on Monday (18 February) cited uncertainty caused by Brexit as the main driving factor.
Truck safety: A lack of vision and a loss of life
Cynthia Barlow’s daughter died after being struck by a truck while out cycling. When she realised how casually her child's death was treated by the legal system, she resolved to take action.
Balearic Islands target 100% renewables, inspiring 26 EU islands
A plan by Spain's Balearic Islands to switch to 100% renewable energy and ditch coal power became law last week, while 26 islands across the EU are launching a new clean energy strategy on Monday (18 February).
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.
UK airline folds amid Brexit uncertainty and fuel cost woes
British airline Flybmi went bust on Saturday (16 February), cancelling all flights with immediate effect. The regional carrier cited Brexit uncertainty as one of the reasons for entering administration, as well as increased fuel costs.
Do we really want driverless cars?
Without a doubt, fully automated cars are coming to a road near you – and soon. But if the mesmerized governments and technocrats don’t pause to address the concerns of the man and woman on the street, they may find themselves facing social upheaval on a massive scale, writes Jonathan Gornall.
Macron unveils Franco-German plan to give electric battery industry a jolt
A new Franco-German cooperation plan on battery cell production will include the construction of two factories, one in France and one in Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday (13 February).
Italy’s 5-Star tries to undermine tunnel to France
Italy’s transport ministry insisted on Tuesday (12 February) that a planned railway tunnel underneath the Alps to France would be a waste of money, in what could ratchet up tensions between Rome and Paris.
Logistics expert: Deep transport emissions reductions possible, urgently needed
Transport is widely accepted as a very difficult sector to decarbonise but one of the leading experts on all things freight and transport explained to EURACTIV.com how and why it needs to be done.