Transport
The Channel Tunnel: the other Brexit border?
On 8 October 2020, the European Parliament approved legislation to ensure safe Channel Tunnel operations post-Brexit transition. In addition to COVID-19, Brexit will have far-reaching consequences for cross-Channel border connections. History highlights what is at stake.
Aviation is an irreplaceable force for good in the world
Aviation’s precious role in society is at risk, as borders remain closed and influential voices in Europe call for permanent curbs on flying, warns Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.Promoted content
Strengthening road safety aspects of European Roadworthiness Package
Since relevant components of vehicles during their service life continuously deteriorate, it is necessary to carry out periodic vehicle inspections in Europe, adapted to the level of susceptibility of use, in order to ensure long-term road safety and low emissions.Promoted content
The (necessary) rise of LNG
LNG is an acronym that serves as shorthand for Liquified Natural Gas. Today, together with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), it is the futureproof transport fuel for which vehicles and infrastructure are already largely available, affordable, and most importantly, have the lowest emissions.
Europe must lead on electrifying urban mobility
Without bold and fast action to transform the way we move around in our cities, we will be unable to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and air pollution, warn Anabel Diaz and William Todts, as ride-hailing firm Uber announces a new global zero-emission goal.
Freedom to roam – first your phone, now your car?
The European Commission has reiterated its ambition to roll out at least one million public electric vehicle charging stations over the next 5 years. But how can the EU ensure that consumers really benefit wherever they are in Europe? One of the keys to success lies in e-roaming, argues Kristof Vereenooghe.Promoted content
Are all renewable aviation fuels equally sustainable?
A recent European Commission inception impact assessment on “ReFuelEU Aviation” presents ideas about a future EU law to promote renewable aviation fuels, labelled as “Sustainable” Aviation Fuels (SAF). These offer a legitimate way to reduce GHG emissions and deserve our...
A roadmap to cut shipping emissions in the Mediterranean
An emission control area for sulphur oxides in the Mediterranean is not a panacea, but it would open new possibilities for the region’s future while contributing to its health, writes Gaetano Leone.
Is there a link between air pollution and the coronavirus?
Early signs suggest the spread of COVID-19 is facilitated by air pollution, and if so, why not clean the air by using alternative fuels, such as ethanol?, writes Angela Tin and Zoltán Szabó. Angela Tin is from the American Lung...
We won’t get there without sustainable biofuels
It is common knowledge by now: transport is and stays a big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter in the EU and worldwide. It accounted for 27% of EU-28 total emissions in 2017, and the sector runs almost entirely on fossil fuel. David Chiaramonti and Giacomo Talluri explain how this can be curbed.Promoted content
Ammonia: The other hydrogen
The EU hydrogen strategy opens the a new era of the low carbon economy. Fertilizer producers are among the biggest producers and users of hydrogen in Europe and low carbon ammonia could be used as maritime shipping fuel and to store energy.Promoted content
Green Finance Taxonomy: sustainable opportunities for transport
The recent adoption of the Taxonomy Regulation by the European Parliament marks the last legislative step for creating the world’s first classification of sustainable economic activities. It is expected to leverage on private investments to set in motion the transformation of the EU economic activities, transport systems included. A rational roadmap to implement available solutions without risky shortcuts is not planned yet.Promoted content
The European Aviation Network – A European Solution to Keep Passengers Connected
More than ever, reliable connectivity is important. Europe’s airline passengers increasingly now remain connected when they fly. EAN, provided by a European consortium combining Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom’s capabilities, and built on DG CONNECT’s spectrum work, makes this possible.Promoted content
View on the development of a new vehicle emission standard in Europe: EURO 7/VII
The challenges that we face today are not only technical, but behavioural too. The tampering of the emissions control system is jeopardising efforts to have clean combustion engines and cybersecurity will be without doubt an issue in the coming years.
The Brief – Air EU is now ready for boarding
Europe’s airlines are set to get more than €30 billion in coronavirus-busting aid. But do we really need so many flyers? And wouldn’t the EU be better off setting up its own carrier?
EU’s ‘Mobility Package’ will negatively impact citizens, climate and the economy
Transport ministers from nine EU countries are calling upon the European Parliament to make adjustments to the first Mobility Package in order to take into account fair competition, EU climate policy objectives and the single market, as well as new socio-economic realities post COVID-19.
Why post-Covid stimulus plans must make travel more sustainable
Stimulus plans should make mobility more sustainable, and electrifying shared rides can help, writes Maya Ben Dror.
Is nickel sustainable in electrical vehicle batteries?
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and attractive as prices fall and charging infrastructure becomes more widespread. Dr Mark Mistry explains what factors affect the sustainability of one of the most important ingredients in a car's battery: nickel.
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...
Bikes and trains, the tandem to tackle the climate crisis
Bicycles and trains have become the mobility keystone of the ‘new normal’ with great potential for the green European recovery. The EU must ensure they go hand-in-hand, according to the European Cyclists Federation.
Trains vital to virus recovery, passenger rights shouldn’t be left at the station
Europe's railways are due a resurgence thanks to a combination of increased climate and health awareness. But the rules governing train travel need serious review in order to convince people to ride the rail instead of choosing the car or to fly, writes Ursula Pachl.Promoted content
How will we travel tomorrow? Discover the world after COVID-19
How do we come out of this crisis as a society that has learned from its errors and difficult moments? How do we achieve balance between urgent sustainability and economic recovery?
Biomass can contribute to sector integration in Green Deal
Member states can integrate their Energy and Climate plans into the Common Agricultural Policy to develop sustainable and resource-efficient biomass value chains, write David Chiaramonti and Calliope Panoutsou. Sector integrated biomass policies at national level will facilitate prioritisation within geographic...