Tag Archive: carbon emission reduction

  1. Ghent subsidies help local suppliers decarbonise deliveries

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    Source: The Mayor

    The Belgian city aims to have its centre emissions free by 2030.

    Companies making deliveries to Ghent’s central area can join one of two pilot projects: receiving a free electric vehicle, or a financial subsidy for a local emission-free last-mile delivery service. Both incentives are provided by the municipality.

    Ghent’s climate goals are notably practical. The city aims to make its central area as emission-free as possible by 2030. While this target may seem less ambitious compared to other cities that promise ’emission-free zones’ or ‘banning fossil fuel cars,’ it appears achievable.

    Not just empty words

    “By 2030, we want city logistics to be as emission-free as possible, but we’re not leaving entrepreneurs to tackle this alone. We give them time to prepare and offer support to encourage them toward sustainable logistics,” explains Sofie Bracke, Alderman for Economy.

    Approximately 7,000 tonnes of goods are delivered to Ghent’s central area (inside the R40 ring road) every week via 40,000 trips by vans and trucks, excluding construction logistics. Daily, 10,000 to 20,000 parcels are delivered to the city center.

    This significantly impacts traffic and emissions, prompting the city to start implementing changes now. The phased approach allows entrepreneurs time to adapt.

    Two options for entrepreneurs

    For the first pilot project, companies, sole proprietorships, or non-profit organizations can test an emission-free vehicle for deliveries in Ghent free of charge for one week. They will also receive advice and customized logistics services.

    Options include an electric truck, box truck, refrigerated truck or van, a light electric freight vehicle, or a cargo e-bike. Testing is available from September 23 to December 13, 2024.

    The second option involves outsourcing the ‘last-mile delivery’. Logistics companies will bundle deliveries and transport goods from the city’s edge to the center. Participants collaborating with these providers will receive a 6,000-euro subsidy.

  2. CO2 emissions from new cars and vans further decrease as electric vehicle sales grow in Europe

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    Source: European Environment Agency

    According to provisional data released by the European Environment Agency (EEA), average CO2 emissions from newly registered cars in Europe continued to decline in 2023, showing a 1.4% reduction compared to 2022. Similarly, emissions from new vans decreased by 1.6% from the previous year. These declines are largely attributed to the increasing prevalence of fully electric vehicles.

    The provisional data, detailing newly registered cars and vans in Europe, indicate that 10.7 million new cars were registered in Europe in 2023, marking a 13.2% rise from 2022. Nearly a quarter of these registrations were electric, either fully or as plug-in hybrids, with Norway, Sweden, and Iceland having the highest shares of electric cars at 90.5%, 60.7%, and 60.4%, respectively.

    In 2023, 1.2 million new vans were registered in Europe, representing a 20.2% increase from 2022 levels. The proportion of electric vans reached 8%, with more than half of these registrations occurring in France, Germany, and Sweden.

    Key figures:

    • New passenger cars: 10.7 million registrations (+13.2% from 2022), 106.6 g CO2/km average emissions (-1.4%), 23.6% electric (including plug-in hybrids), 15.5% fully electric, and an average mass of 1,545 kg (+1.3%).
    • New vans: 1.2 million registrations (+20.2% from 2022), 180.8 g CO2/km average emissions (-1.6%), 8% fully electric, and an average mass of 1,896 kg (+1%).

    The transport sector accounts for approximately a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport contributing approximately three-quarters of this. The EU aims to reduce transport emissions by 90% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels and achieve zero emissions for all new cars and vans by 2035.

    About the vehicle data

    The EEA gathers data on new vehicle registrations in Europe under Regulation (EU) 2019/631, based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The data, which will be finalized later in the year after manufacturers review them, are currently provisional. The EEA also publishes real-world CO2 emissions and fuel consumption data, collected via on-board fuel consumption monitoring (OBFCM) devices, to compare laboratory and actual road performance. Further analysis is provided by the European Commission.

    Provisional datasets reflect the CO2 emissions calculated through laboratory testing, the EEA has previously published data on real-world CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of cars and vans.

  3. Report suggests 280 million electric bikes and mopeds are reducing global oil demand more than electric cars

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    Source: The Conversation

    In a recent eye-opening report by The Conversation, the focus is on electric bikes and mopeds, revealing their remarkable impact on slashing oil demand, outpacing the effects of electric cars. The article notes that 44% of all Australian commuter trips are by car, particularly for distances under 10km, mirroring trends in wealthier countries like the United States, where 60% of car trips cover less than 10km.

    Contrary to the assumption that electric cars are the go-to solution, the report highlights that for short trips, electric bikes and mopeds, collectively known as electric micromobility, prove to be a more economical and environmentally friendly option. Astoundingly, these micromobility options are displacing four times more demand for oil than all the world’s electric cars combined. This is largely attributed to their widespread adoption in China and other nations where mopeds are a prevalent form of transport.

    The global landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) reveals a stark contrast. While there were over 20 million electric vehicles and 1.3 million commercial EVs on the roads last year, the numbers of two- and three-wheelers eclipse these figures with over 280 million electric mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, and three-wheelers. Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that the sheer popularity of these smaller vehicles is already reducing oil demand by about 1% globally, equivalent to a million barrels of oil per day.

    The report challenges the perception of electric cars as an unequivocal solution due to their space consumption, heavy reliance on electricity, and the environmental impact of battery production. In comparison, electric bikes and mopeds emerge as efficient, cost-effective alternatives, particularly for short-hop trips. For instance, commuting on an e-bike 20km a day, five days a week, costs approximately $20 annually in charging.

    As electric micromobility gains traction globally, it offers a unique opportunity to reconsider urban transportation. Smaller electric options like scooters and skateboards address the last-kilometer problem in public transport systems, offering a swift solution for the inconvenient distance between home and transportation hubs. Studies suggest that widespread adoption of e-bikes could lead to a 7% reduction in transport emissions if they account for 11% of all vehicle trips.

    In conclusion, as petrol prices rise and battery costs fall, the cost-effectiveness of electric micromobility, coupled with its potential to significantly cut urban emissions, challenges the dominance of electric cars. As global oil demand is projected to peak in 2028, the report suggests that electric micromobility might play a pivotal role in accelerating the decline, given its rapid adoption and cost advantages. Individuals are encouraged to reassess their transportation needs, considering electric bikes and mopeds for short trips, while keeping electric cars in mind for longer journeys or group outings.

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