With a unanimous vote, the reuse of cars originally destined for scrapping was decided in favour of the country's most vulnerable citizens. While the intention behind this measure is respectable, its implementation leaves many questions unanswered and raises serious concerns about its environmental impact.
In a recent article published in the journal Sustainable Energy & Fuels, researchers present a new process that uses sunlight to convert CO2 into methanol. This methanol can be used as a sustainable fuel. This sounds promising, but is it too early to be jubilant?
The New York Transport Authority has made a sensational decision: From 17 June, a city toll will be levied in the vibrant metropolis. Anyone who wants to drive to the southern part of Manhattan in future will have to pay 15 US dollars per day. This would make New York the first city in the USA to introduce such a charge, reports the New York Times.
Germany is facing a major challenge: according to a study by management consultants EY, the transport transition could turn out to be a billion-euro grave for the treasury. The switch to electric cars could cost the state around 50 billion euros by 2030. This is a huge sum that not only puts fiscal policy to the test, but also climate and environmental targets.
Electromobility currently seems to be the industry's irrefutable future. But while companies like Volkswagen are forging ahead, other groups such as BMW, Skoda, General Motors and above all Mercedes are changing their strategy. Instead of focussing exclusively on electric drives, they are once again focusing more on customer requirements and are even planning to develop the diesel further.
The Euro 7 emissions standard recently adopted by the EU Parliament is a seemingly positive step towards cleaner air. But on closer inspection, the agreement turns out to be a deceptive illusion that offers little more than the current Euro 6 standard.
Electromobility is a key building block for more sustainable mobility. Electric cars are considered to be significantly more environmentally friendly than their petrol-guzzling counterparts. However, a recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows: Electric cars are not always the more environmentally friendly option. In 2024, a plug-in hybrid, the Toyota Prius Prime SE, will top the list of the most environmentally friendly cars. This is despite the fact that electric cars follow in the next four places.
The end of diesel in Munich seems to have been heralded. The Bavarian Administrative Court (VGH) has ruled that Euro 5 diesels will no longer be allowed to enter Munich's low emission zone. A step that should significantly improve air quality in the city, but what does this mean for the 70,000 or so drivers affected?
Wallonia, known for its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, has decided to introduce a controversial low emission zone in 2022. The previous Walloon government had drawn up a plan to gradually ban the most polluting vehicles from the roads. This measure triggered fierce debate and unrest. However, the current Environment Minister Céline Tellier (Ecolo) appears to be overturning these plans.
Belgium has drastically tightened its low emission zones for vehicles in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent since 2022, with further restrictions planned for 2025. Anyone driving in these cities must expect a fine of up to 350 euros. This regulation applies not only to local drivers, but also to foreign drivers. In all three cities, there is an environmental zone in which certain vehicles are not allowed to drive. Cameras monitor compliance with the rules by recording and comparing the licence plates of vehicles.
