Tag Archive: European Commision

  1. Microhubs as a growing solution of last mile logistics

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    Source: European Commission

    The EIT Urban Mobility Marketplace has published an article exploring the increasing role of microhubs in last-mile logistics and their potential to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of urban deliveries across Europe.

    Urban logistics contributes to more than 25% of transport-related emissions, influenced by congestion and the prevalence of high-emission delivery vehicles. The article presents microhubs – small, strategically located urban facilities where goods are transferred from larger vehicles to low-emission modes such as cargo bikes – as one approach to mitigating these challenges. These hubs may also offer services including vehicle charging, shared fleet use, parking, and goods consolidation.

    The article clarifies the distinction between microhubs and related infrastructure, such as delivery lockers and urban consolidation centres, and emphasises the need for coordinated public-private initiatives and strategic urban planning to support their development, particularly in densely populated areas.

    Three Horizon Europe projects are highlighted as examples of ongoing microhub initiatives:

    • Logroño, Spain (DECARBOMILE project): A microhub within the San Blas Market facilitates the transfer of goods to electric cargo bikes. Additional services under development include waste consolidation and community-based deliveries.
    • Bologna, Italy (URBANE project): This pilot integrates microhub lockers and light electric vehicles for B2B logistics, with the support of digital tools to enhance operational efficiency.
    • Athens, Greece (GREEN-LOG project): The initiative is trialling micro-consolidation centres and mobile depots, featuring a shared electric vehicle and smart parcel lockers to streamline urban distribution.

    These projects illustrate various approaches to integrating microhubs in urban environments, with objectives that include emission reduction, improved logistics processes, and more efficient use of city space.

    The article can be read in full here.

  2. The European Commission outlines funding criteria for small and medium enterprises in 2025

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    Source: EIT Mobility

    The SME Fund 2025 is offering financial assistance for protecting trademarks, designs, patents and plant varieties.

    The Ideas Powered for Business SME fund is a European Commission initiative that’s been implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with protecting their intellectual property (IP) rights. To assist them with accessibility and inclusivity challenges it is offering special funding of up to €2,500 until 5th December 2025.

    Funding application criteria

    Owners, authorised employees or external representatives of SMEs that have been established in the EU are eligible to apply for financial support, with a representative being defined as any third party, whether a legal or natural person, that is duly authorised to represent the SME legally. If companies select an external representative to apply on their behalf, then a “declaration of honour”, signed by both parties, needs to be submitted when completing the electronic application form. All grants will be deposited into the bank account indicated in the application.

    Types of funding vouchers

    SMEs can receive vouchers of the following amounts for protecting their trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties:

    • Voucher 1: Trade Marks & Designs – €700
    • Voucher 2: National Patents and Prior Art Search – €1,000
    • Voucher 3: European Patents and Legal Costs – €2,500
    • Voucher 4: Community Plant Varieties – €1,500

    Evaluation of the submitted applications during the period: weekly cut-off: every Friday.

    Evaluation and notification period: 10 working days from cut-off.

  3. EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2025 theme announced as Mobility for Everyone

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    Source: European Commission

    The European Commission’s flagship campaign on sustainable urban mobility, EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, will run from 16 to 22 September 2025, concluding with the widely celebrated Car–Free Day.

    This initiative encourages local authorities to experiment with innovative planning strategies, introduce new infrastructure and technologies, assess air quality, and engage with the public for feedback.

    The theme for EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2025 is ‘Mobility for Everyone’, emphasising the need for sustainable transport options that are accessible to all, regardless of income, location, gender, or abilities.

    Many individuals face transport poverty, where high costs or limited transport options restrict access to employment, education, and essential services. This year’s campaign envisions a society where public transport, walking, and cycling are affordable, inclusive, and safe for all. The European Social Climate Fund plays a key role in supporting communities and households by financing sustainable and accessible mobility solutions.

    Click here for insights into EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2024. Additionally, registration is now open for the EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK / MOBILITY ACTION award ceremony and workshops, scheduled to take place in Brussels on 27 March 2025.

  4. Discover the EU Urban Mobility Observatory’s new city database on SUMPs

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    Source: European Commission

    The EU Urban Mobility Observatory has launched a new interactive city database, providing detailed information on sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs) and transport strategies across EU Member States.

    Covering all 431 urban nodes within the TEN-T network, the database offers insights into the development stages of urban mobility plans, along with city population statistics. Each city profile includes links to published plans (where available) and official city websites, allowing users to explore different approaches and solutions.

    The data is sourced from Eurostat, national databases, and city websites, with regular updates to ensure accuracy.

    This tool is a valuable resource for city planners, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in urban mobility planning. It showcases the diverse strategies adopted by European cities and serves as inspiration for those developing or refining their own SUMPs.

    Check out the EU city SUMP database here.

  5. European Commission opens applications for 2027 Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards

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    Source: European Commission

    Cities committed to sustainability are invited to apply for the 2027 European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards by 15 April 2025.

    These prestigious awards recognize cities that demonstrate leadership in reducing environmental impacts while enhancing the quality of life for their residents. Winners receive financial support and gain entry into a network of European cities at the forefront of urban sustainability.

    Award categories and financial support

    The European Green Capital Award is open to cities with populations exceeding 100,000, with the winning city receiving a €600,000 prize. The European Green Leaf Award is available for towns and cities with populations between 20,000 and 100,000, with up to two winners each receiving €200,000.

    These financial awards are intended to help cities implement sustainability projects and engage with residents throughout their designated award year.

    Evaluation criteria and urban mobility focus

    A critical aspect of the evaluation process is urban mobility, with cities recognized for their efforts in reducing transport emissions and promoting sustainable mobility solutions. Past award winners have demonstrated innovative approaches to urban transport, including improved public transit, cycling infrastructure, and multimodal transport systems
    Applications will also be assessed based on seven key environmental indicators: Air quality, water management, biodiversity and green spaces, waste management, noise pollution, climate change mitigation and climate adaptation.

    Notable past winners and their achievements

    Several previous Green Capital and Green Leaf winners have been recognized for their sustainable urban mobility initiatives:

    Águeda, Portugal (European Green Leaf 2026) – Honored for its beÁgueda shared-use e-bike programme, as well as its collaboration with the national rail company to enhance local transport schedules and intermodal connectivity.
    Vilnius, Lithuania (European Green Capital 2025) – Recognized for its transformation from a car-centric city to a pedestrian-friendly and sustainable urban environment. The city’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) includes expanding cycling infrastructure, modernizing its public transport fleet, optimizing transit routes, and improving cargo and freight logistics.
    Treviso, Italy (European Green Leaf 2025) – Acknowledged for its comprehensive SUMP, featuring a 32 km cycling network, 30 bike-sharing stations, and investments in electric buses and charging infrastructure.
    Valencia, Spain (European Green Capital 2024) – Recognized for investing in cycling infrastructure, creating over 164 km of cycle lanes, and working toward the electrification of its public transport fleet and the development of multimodal transport hubs.

    How to apply

    Cities interested in applying for the 2027 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards can find out more information here and register through the official European Commission website.

    With these awards, the European Commission continues to promote sustainable urban development, encouraging cities to take innovative steps toward greener, cleaner, and more livable environments.

  6. EU road crashes resulted in 20,400 fatalities last year

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    Source: European Commission

    In 2023, 20,400 people lost their lives to road crashes across the EU, a 1% decrease compared to the previous year, resulting in 46 deaths per million residents. While there has been a 10% reduction in fatalities since 2019, the current rate of decline is below the 4.5% annual reduction needed to meet the EU’s goal of halving road deaths by 2030.

    Variation among member states

    Member States show uneven progress: in 2023, Czechia, Cyprus, Poland, Romania, and Finland recorded their lowest road fatality numbers since modern records began. Poland reported a 35% reduction in fatalities between 2019 and 2023, while Ireland saw a 31% increase. Despite these trends, Poland’s road fatality rate per capita remains above the EU average, while Ireland’s is below. Sweden (22 deaths per million) and Denmark (26/million) remain the safest, while Bulgaria (82/million) and Romania (81/million) recorded the highest rates in 2023.

    Today’s figures provide the final data on road fatalities for 2023, following preliminary data released in March 2024.

    Estimates for the first half of 2024

    Preliminary figures for the first six months of 2024 indicate that the number of deaths on EU roads remained steady compared to the same period in 2023. Austria, Lithuania, and Slovenia recorded significant declines of over 25%, while other Member States reported increases. Monthly fluctuations, however, make full-year projections challenging.

    Background

    In 2018, the EU set a target to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030. This commitment, outlined in the European Commission’s Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety and the EU’s 2021-2030 road safety framework, also introduced a long-term goal of zero fatalities by 2050 (“Vision Zero”). The European Court of Auditors recently highlighted the need for intensified efforts to meet these targets.

    In March 2023, the Commission introduced a series of proposals to improve road safety, including updated driving license requirements and strengthened cross-border enforcement of road rules.

    Road safety is a core component of recent EU mobility initiatives, such as the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the new TEN-T Regulation, and the Urban Mobility Framework. In its proposal for a European Declaration on Cycling, the Commission emphasises safety as essential for encouraging cycling and is preparing guidelines to ensure quality requirements for the safety of vulnerable road users, including cyclists.

    Click here to view the most recent figures.

  7. European Commission announces 30 km/h speed limits success as Bologna and Wales report progress

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    Source: ETSC

    The European Commission has emphasised the importance of 30 km/h speed limits in reducing road injuries, fatalities, and pollution levels.

    In response to a parliamentary question, Wopke Hoekstra, the new commissioner for transport following Adina Vălean’s election to the European Parliament in June, highlighted that “the Commission acknowledges that speed is a major factor in road deaths and serious injuries, particularly in urban areas, where vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists or the users of e-scooters constitute 70% of fatalities.“

    “Recent research on the impact of city-wide 30 km/h speed limits in 40 European cities points to significant benefits. On average, these speed limits led to a 23%, 37%, and 38% reduction in road crashes, fatalities, and injuries respectively.“

    The commissioner also emphasised that the impact on travel time is limited and the benefits to rod safety and other factors “often outweigh any change in travel times.“

    The Welsh government recently revealed data that road crashes and injuries between April and June 2024 fell by about a quarter compared to the same period in 2023, suggesting a positive impact from new 20 mph limits in urban areas.

    Italy’s City of Bologna announced since launching its Città 30 program of 30 km/h limits city-wide, has seen road collisions drop by nearly 11% and injuries by over 10% in the first six months, compared to averages from the same period in 2022 and 2023. Severe crashes have plummeted by 38%, and fatalities have decreased by a third, reaching lows comparable to those during the Covid lockdowns. Vehicle traffic has reduced slightly (-3%), while traffic-related pollution has fallen by over 20%. Bike sharing has nearly doubled (+92%), with bicycle trips up by 12%.

    In Germany, recent changes to traffic laws now make it somewhat easier for local authorities to set 30 km/h limits. However, a coalition of cities argues that the changes are insufficient and has scheduled an online conference on November 29 for municipalities interested in implementing safer speed limits.

  8. Fossil fuel subsidies for company cars cost EU taxpayers €42 billion every year according to new study

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    Source: Transport and Environment

    The new European Commission has pledged to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and ensure a fair green transition. Now, it must fulfil this commitment, says clean transport advocacy group Transport & Environment (T&E).

    In a recent report, T&E highlights that subsidies for petrol and diesel company cars cost EU taxpayers €42 billion annually. The study by ERM, commissioned by T&E, examined the impact of four key tax benefits provided to company cars: benefit-in-kind, depreciation write-offs, VAT deductions, and fuel cards. Unlike private car owners, company car drivers benefit from these subsidies, with company cars representing 60% of new car registrations in Europe.

    Italy leads the list of countries heavily subsidizing polluting company cars, followed by Germany, France, and Poland, with annual costs of €16 billion, €13.7 billion, €6.4 billion, and €6.1 billion respectively. Most of these subsidies arise from benefit-in-kind schemes that continue to favor petrol and diesel vehicles.

    In contrast, the UK and Spain provide significantly lower tax advantages for polluting company cars. The UK imposes high benefit-in-kind rates on petrol and diesel company vehicles, which encourages a switch to electric cars, now accounting for 21.5% of company registrations. In Spain, tax benefits for company cars mirror those for private cars, with minimal incentives for EVs, resulting in a lower uptake of electric vehicles among companies at 3.7%.

    The report also reveals that SUV drivers of company cars receive high fossil fuel subsidies, paying up to €8,900 less in taxes annually than private SUV owners. Consequently, companies register twice as many SUVs as private households, with €15 billion of the total subsidies directed toward SUVs.

    Stef Cornelis, Director of T&E’s electric fleets program, criticized the situation, stating that billions of taxpayer euros fund tax benefits for company drivers of high-pollution SUVs, calling it “bad climate policy and socially unfair.” Cornelis urged the European Commission to take swift action, as countries like the UK and Belgium have begun phasing out benefits for polluting vehicles, while major European markets continue to support them.

    With corporate fossil fuel vehicle subsidies hindering the EU’s green transition, T&E advocates for immediate policy changes. They call on the new European Commission to introduce a Greening Corporate Fleets Regulation in 2025 with binding electrification targets for large corporate fleets and leasing firms. This step aligns with the EU Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to create a lead market for clean technology, stimulating demand for EVs and ensuring investment stability for key industries.

    President von der Leyen has reaffirmed her dedication to the Green Deal and tasked her Commissioner candidates to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. Stef Cornelis concluded that under von der Leyen’s renewed leadership, the Commission should set electrification targets for company fleets and correct this tax discrepancy, supporting the EU’s industrial agenda and boosting the clean tech and e-mobility sectors.

  9. European Road Safety Observatory Report: The crucial role of helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems

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    Source: European Commission

    A new report from the European Road Safety Observatory underscores the critical role of helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on the road. Proper use of motorcycle helmets can decrease the risk of fatal crashes by approximately 40% and severe head injuries by nearly 70%. Likewise, bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of fatal head or brain injuries by an average of 71%. Seatbelts lower the risk of fatal incidents by 60% for front-seat occupants and 44% for rear-seat passengers. Correctly used child restraint systems reduce the likelihood of death or injury by around 60% compared to unrestrained children.

    Compliance and Challenges

    While compliance with seatbelt laws is generally high, some countries still face challenges, particularly regarding rear-seat passengers. Motorcycle helmet use is also largely compliant, with a few exceptions. However, the correct and consistent use of bicycle helmets and child restraint systems is less prevalent, with many instances of incorrect or non-use.

    The Importance of Education and Enforcement

    Educational programs play a vital role in promoting the use of protective equipment, but enforcement of legislation is equally important. In most EU countries, the perceived likelihood of being checked or fined for not using protective gear remains relatively low, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement measures.

    EU Road Safety Goals and Legislative Framework

    The EU has set an ambitious target to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, as outlined in the EU road safety policy framework for 2021-2030. While the responsibility for traffic rules and enforcement lies primarily with EU Member States, EU laws mandate the use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems. This latest report is part of the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote safer mobility across the EU, with the European Road Safety Observatory regularly publishing research on key road safety topics.