Tag: Future
Are night-time environmental zones coming?
The Berlin Green Party recently presented a proposal to equalise the traffic congestion in the capital. The idea is to shift delivery and commercial traffic to the night-time hours. According to Antje Kapek, transport spokesperson for the Greens, this proposal should help to ensure that delivery vehicles, refuse collection, care services and doctors get stuck less in congested and parked-up streets during the day. Low-noise and low-emission lorries could increasingly drive into cities at night and on special routes.
Anti-pollution zones for classic cars?
The world of classic cars is always on the move. On the one hand, there is nostalgia and the desire to keep the history of the automotive industry alive. On the other hand, there is the need to adapt to the constantly changing conditions and regulations regarding the environment and sustainability. A recent development in this context is the new "Villes et villages d'accueil des véhicules d'époque" label, which was launched by the French Federation of Historic Vehicles (FFVE). But what exactly is behind this label and what does it mean for the environmental zones?
Electromobility in Germany: Unclear course and gloomy outlook
Electric mobility in Germany is facing major challenges, as ADAC President Christian Reinicke emphasises in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung. His statements shed a gloomy light on the current situation of electric cars and raise the question of whether the government's ambitious targets are achievable at all.
Charging at streetlights: an expensive experiment with limited benefits?
The challenge of electromobility is not only the purchase of the vehicles, but also the provision of a nationwide charging infrastructure. The Berlin start-up Ubitricity has come up with a creative solution: converting street lamps into charging stations. But the reality is sobering. According to current figures from the Berlin Senate, not even one in ten streetlights is suitable for conversion. In addition, the costs are considerable at 6000 euros per conversion (without network expansion).
France: scrappage scheme 2.0?
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.
Government crisis: Is the whole of Germany threatened with a weekend driving ban?
The government is seething once again. This time it's about the Climate Protection Act, which is still stuck in parliament. Transport Minister Volker Wissing has set the coalition partners a deadline and is threatening nationwide driving bans if they fail to meet it. The Greens have yet to adopt a clear position on this.
HVO100 - Is the driving ban for standard diesel now coming?
On 22 March 2024, the German Federal Council gave its approval for the authorisation of climate-friendly pure diesel fuels. The beacon of hope of this new era is HVO100, short for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. This fuel, which is produced from the conversion of vegetable oils or recyclable waste materials, is to be available at German filling stations from 13 April 2024.
Mega trucks in Europe: a curse or a blessing?
The sight of huge, powerful lorries on Europe's motorways could soon become a reality. The European Parliament recently passed a measure that could make it possible to allow so-called "mega trucks" on the roads of EU countries. But what does this mean for the climate? Can these giants really reduce emissions from freight transport?
Mercedes back on diesel
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.
Airbus and the zero-emission fuel cell: are clean flights finally coming?
In January 2021, Airbus will put its first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell into operation. This is an important step towards the development of a hydrogen-powered aircraft. By opening a development centre for hydrogen technologies in Lower Saxony, Airbus is strengthening its presence in Germany and underlining its ambitions in the field of climate-neutral aviation.