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Transport

Hydrogen-powered vehicles and refuelling stations are popping up around Europe in an effort to reduce air pollution. Image courtesy of HyFIVE
transport | public–private partnerships | open innovation
19 October 2016

Crossing Europe on the hydrogen highway

From Bergen in Norway to Bolzano in Italy, specialised refuelling stations mean that drivers of hydrogen-powered cars can now travel right across Europe.

Vice-President Sefcovic wants European car manufacturers to become sustainable leaders on a global level. Image credit: EC Audiovisual Service / Georges Boulougouris
environment | transport
09 September 2016

R&D can steer transport sector towards green economy – Vice-President Šefčovič

Following recent vehicle emission scandals, confidence in sustainable mobility has taken a big hit. But research and development (R&D) could help the European transport sector get back on track and stay ahead of international competition, according to Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union.

Electric roads could charge cars while they’re on the go, or waiting at a traffic light. Image courtesy of Pixabay/ stuart150
transport
28 June 2016

Electric roads to charge your car as you drive

Plugging your electric car into a charging station could become a thing of the past as researchers are developing electric roads that can charge your car while waiting at a traffic light or even on the move.

Researchers are designing planes that can travel at eight times the speed of sound. Credit: Pixabay/ joelfotos
transport
22 June 2016

Brussels to Tokyo in two hours

A typical flight from Brussels to Tokyo takes over 11 hours – but imagine if that time was shaved to just two and a quarter.

Researchers are using new technologies such as magnetic brakes and sleepers made from recycled tyres to make the next generation of rail travel greener, quieter and more durable. Image courtesy of Metro Madrid
transport | energy | open innovation
27 April 2016

Europe’s future railways will generate energy

Electricity-generating tracks, longer-lasting brakes and more energy-efficient trains could help to decrease the environmental footprint of the billions of railway journeys taken across Europe each year.

The EU has launched two prizes to create clean engines that can reduce car emissions. Image credit: Pixabay/ elec_trick0
transport | open innovation
21 April 2016

Two clean engine prizes to tackle European air quality

The race is on to design a clean engine that can be retrofitted into existing vehicles, and a low-emission, highly fuel efficient engine of the future, after the EU launched two prizes worth a combined EUR 5 million in a bid to improve Europe’s air quality and restore faith in the European automotive sector.

Steve Phillips is the secretary general of the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR), which helped organise a truck platoon challenge that ended in Rotterdam on 6 April. Photo courtesy of Steve Phillips
transport | interview
11 April 2016

Success of truck platooning challenge clears way for real-life convoys – Steve Phillips, CEDR

The successful arrival in Rotterdam of six convoys of connected smart trucks from different points across Europe shows that cross-border truck platooning is feasible and operational challenges can be overcome, according to Steve Phillips, Secretary General of the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR), which helped to organise the challenge.

Researchers are looking at ways to reduce cars’ nitrogen oxides, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Image courtesy of Amminex
transport | open innovation
06 April 2016

Solid ammonia reduces Copenhagen bus emissions by 90 %

Tanks of solid ammonia, see-through motors and hybrid engines are just some of the technologies that are helping bring diesel pollution down to record-breaking lows.

Dr Henrik C. Wegener is the chair of the EU's Scientific Advice Mechanism, which for its first task will provide advice on how to measure CO2 emissions with greater real-world accuracy. Image courtesy of Dr Wegener
policy | transport | interview | open science
05 April 2016

Advice on CO2 vehicle emissions testing in six months – EU science panel’s Dr Henrik C. Wegener

The EU’s new Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) panel will deliver its first official advice to the European Commission – on how to close the gap between vehicle CO2 emission levels in the real world and those detected under test conditions – within six months, according to Dr Henrik C. Wegener, Chief Academic Officer at the Technical University of Denmark, and chair of the SAM High Level Group.

In trials, the technology has had a 100 % success rate. Image courtesy of ARTRAC
transport
02 September 2015

Self-braking cars ‘in five years’

Self-driving cars have been stealing all the media attention. But another revolution in car technology is underway and largely going under-reported.

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