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France’s First Hybrid Electric-Diesel-Battery is Ready to Run

admin — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:40:42 +0000

France’s First Hybrid Electric-Diesel-Battery is Ready to Run

Alstom,, CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), and SNCF (Société nationale des chemins de fer français) have jointly declared the successful completion of testing for France‘s inaugural hybrid electric-diesel-battery regional train on the Toulouse-Mazamet and Toulouse-Rodez lines in the southern region of the country.

The purpose of these tests was to assess the performance of the hybrid train under actual operational conditions, adhering to the schedule of a commercial service.

Concluding on 14th June, this final phase of testing proved to be a success. Once the necessary authorizations for passenger transport are granted by the Etablissement Public de Sécurité Ferroviaire (EPSF), the train is expected to commence commercial service later this year.

France’s upcoming regional train, the Régiolis, is set to become the country’s pioneer in utilising batteries for propulsion, marking a significant leap in sustainable transportation.

Initiated in 2018 by the SNCF Group and Alstom, the hybridization project aims to curtail energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It introduces an innovative solution that enables the conversion of SNCF’s current thermal fleet to hybrid drives without necessitating modifications to the rail infrastructure.

With this achievement, the hybrid train is set to enter commercial service later this year. This significant milestone marks a notable advancement in promoting a greener and more sustainable future for rail transportation in France.

Mobycon Spotlights Active Mobility Initiatives in the Netherlands

admin — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:30:57 +0000

Mobycon Spotlights Active Mobility Initiatives in the Netherlands

In the recent installment of the Mobycon Academy, Integrated Mobility Consultant Mr. Narayan Donaldson delves into the characteristics of the Netherlands traffic signal design, which effectively minimise waiting times for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers while enhancing safety and efficiency. The key differentiators lie in the Netherlands’ utilisation of fully-protected signal phases, which eliminate conflicts between traffic flows, and their signals’ improved responsiveness to real-time conditions.

Explore the practical implementation of these principles and discover their potential application in North American cities aiming to innovate their transportation systems. Gain insights into how adopting such strategies can optimize traffic flow, prioritize safety, and contribute to more advanced and sustainable urban mobility.

Scotland’s Plan and Vision for a Greener Future

admin — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:23:26 +0000

Scotland's Plan and Vision for a Greener Future

Scotland has unveiled the Transport Just Transition Plan (TJTP) and the Vision for the Public EV Charging Network, marking significant milestones in their efforts to combat climate change.

The TJTP encompasses a detailed strategy that outlines the necessary steps to establish a fair and equitable net-zero transport system. As part of the government’s ongoing consultation process, this plan, along with its associated documents, represents the latest stage in shaping Scotland’s sustainable future.

Meanwhile, the Vision for the Public EV Charging Network sets forth an aspirational blueprint for a robust charging infrastructure for electric cars and vans across Scotland. This vision signifies a crucial stride in the right direction, highlighting Scotland’s strong commitment to addressing climate change.

These initiatives serve as comprehensive roadmaps, guiding Scotland towards achieving a net-zero transport system while also providing an exemplary framework for the development of an environmentally friendly public charging network. By setting groundbreaking standards for environmental sustainability, Scotland aims to effectively reduce harmful carbon emissions and lead the way in creating a greener future.

Quelimane Joins Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure

admin — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:07:26 +0000

Quelimane Joins Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure

During World Bike Day on June 3, 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the inaugural recipients of the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI). Launched in partnership with the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) in October 2022, BICI aims to support cities in developing innovative cycling infrastructure and sustainable mobility options. Among the ten global cities awarded, Quelimane, Mozambique, proudly emerged as one of the winners.

The primary objective of BICI is to assist cities in designing streets that encourage higher rates of cycling, rejuvenate neighborhoods, and enhance the health and well-being of their communities. As a recipient, Quelimane will not only receive funding to implement their proposals but will also benefit from technical assistance provided by GDCI.

This support will encompass project development, cycling facility design, data collection, and resident engagement.

Quelimane’s BICI project revolves around the creation of an extensive 5km cycling corridor, capitalizing on the city’s substantial demand for cycling. The proposal includes the establishment of bicycle taxi facilities, an innovative approach to addressing a vital transportation mode within the city. By setting new benchmarks for similar cities in the region, Quelimane aspires to become a model for smaller and rural African cities, showcasing the potential for sustainable cycling initiatives.

Quelimane BICI Cities Kick-Off

Quelimane BICI Global Gathering Invitation-Letter

Electric Vehicle Sales in Uruguay to Grow by 2023

admin — Thu, 18 May 2023 05:58:30 +0000

Electric Vehicle Sales in Uruguay to Grow by 2023

The Automotive Trade Association of Uruguay (ACAU) expects growth in the sale of electric vehicles in Uruguay in 2023. This expectation is based on the doubling of successive commercialisations that Uruguay has had since 2019 in this market. Even in 2022, sales practically doubled, reaching more than a thousand registrations.

This growth is attributed to tax reduction policies: the removal of the Internal Specific Tax (IMESI), import duties and 50% of the patent payment.

At the same time, the charging infrastructure network is expected to grow to 300 charging points by the end of the year and private sector investment in installations is expected to grow due to the implementation of incentives.

Portugal Introduces a Single Public Ticket for Transport Within the Country

admin — Thu, 18 May 2023 05:52:27 +0000

Portugal Introduces a Single Public Ticket for Transport Within the Country

The 1Bilhete.pt project has been launched by the Secretary of State for Urban Mobility in Portugal with the aim of gradually introducing interoperability between the ticketing systems of the different public transport operators in the country. This initiative will start with the integration of the ticketing platforms in the two main metropolitan areas: Lisbon and Porto.

The project protocol was signed on 10 February in Coimbra between the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT), Transport Metropolitanos de Lisboa (TML) and Transport Intermodal do Porto (TIP).The project will help to reduce carbon emissions and will result in cleaner air, while also making the country’s transit systems more user-friendly.

Costa Rica Launches its First Universal Charging Centre for Electric Vehicles

admin — Thu, 18 May 2023 05:45:12 +0000

Costa Rica Launches its First Universal Charging Centre for Electric Vehicles

Costa Rica launched its inaugural universal charging centre for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the vicinity of El Parque Empresarial Forum 1. This is the result of a public-private partnership between El Parque Empresarial Forum 1 and La Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), which invested ¢80 million.

Due to its location, it is expected to benefit electric vehicle users who use route 27, as well as the western roads of the Greater Metropolitan Area. It is designed to be widely accessible, users can pay with any debit or credit card and drivers will be able to charge 80% of a vehicle in a maximum of 30 minutes.

Cape Verde ‘s Momentum In Transport Decarbonisation

admin — Thu, 18 May 2023 05:33:57 +0000

Cape Verde 's Momentum In Transport Decarbonisation

Mr. Alexandre Monteiro, Cape Verde’s Minister for Industry, announced that Cape Verde has seen decent demand for electric vehicles, with over 80 requests filed and almost half already fulfilled and circulating.

On April 14th, Cape Verde hosted, its first Workshop on the promotion of electric mobility in this territory, promoted by the Programme for the Promotion of Electric Mobility in Cabo Verde (ProMEC) that aims to improve the process of importing, acquiring and using electric vehicles, as well as contribute to the improvement of after-sales service,for both the public and private sectors.

As part of this initiative, the government of Cape Verde has approved an incentives programme to support the acquisition of 600 electric vehicles and installation of 100 charging stations. The implementation of this initiative is led by the National Directorate of Industry, Trade and Energy, under the ProMEC Project and funded by the NAMA Facility fund and with technical assistance from German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).

The initial values of the incentives vary between a minimum of 88 thousand escudos (800 euros), for the acquisition of charging stations, and 5.5 million escudos (50 thousand euros), for the purchase of electric buses up to 17 seats .

California and Washington Set to See Great Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 01:56:41 +0000

California and Washington Set to See Great Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A newly published study maps the change in annual income spent on transport fuels for vehicle-owning US households upon adopting electric vehicles.

Drivers in Washington, California, and New York are set to see the greatest reductions in transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions due to a combination of cleaner power grids and low electricity prices in comparison to gasoline prices, among other factors.

According to the study, drivers in California, Washington, and other regions in the United States of America are set to see the greatest reductions in transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions due to a combination of cleaner power grids and lower electricity prices in comparison to gasoline prices, among other factors. The study found that:

90% of vehicle-owning US households could reduce their bills as well as their carbon footprint by switching to electric vehicles;
85 million households could halve their transport bills by going electric compared to just 25 thousand households if they switched to newer, gasoline-fuelled cars;
Adopting an electric vehicle would more than double the number of US households with low transport costs, spending less than 2% of their annual income on transport fuels.

Uruguay, One of the Most Sustainable Countries in the World

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 01:45:58 +0000

Uruguay, One
of the Most Sustainable Countries in
the World

According to the US International Trade Administration, Uruguay is one of the most sustainable countries in the world due to its a surplus of renewable energy, which allows it to export green electricity elsewhere; its willingness to promote the use of electric vehicles; its support to the Global Methane Pledge that aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% this decade, and its growing, investor friendly, green business ecosystem.

Having a clear objective towards the reduction of carbon emissions before mid-century has made this country stand out from other countries. Being the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South America, Uruguay has created a greater impact worldwide thanks to its varied and smart approaches to making sustainability a reality.