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.
Bicycle instead of car - Paris in transition
A study by a public foundation has shown that more than one in ten journeys in Paris and the surrounding area are made by bicycle. This is a remarkable increase compared to 14 years ago, when less than one in thirty journeys were made by bike. Paris seems to have been endeavouring to change its transport policy for years. With more cycle paths and cycle lanes, fewer car parks and higher parking charges, the city is trying to promote cycling and reduce car traffic. But what does this mean for the existing low emission zone?
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.
How sunlight and CO2 can be turned into sustainable fuel
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?
Manhattan introduces congestion charge!
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.
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.
E-cars lead to a billion-euro grave - this is how expensive the transport transition is
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.