Articles tagged with "CO2-emissions"
EU 2035 Reversal: Playing for Time Won’t Make European Carmakers Great Again - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the European Commission’s recent proposal to relax the EU’s 2035 phase-out target for combustion engine vehicle sales, shifting from a zero-emissions goal to a 90% CO2 reduction target. This change would allow the continued sale of high-emission combustion engine vehicles and reduce battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales by up to 25% compared to the original target. The proposal includes granting carmakers credits for using green steel, advanced biofuels, and e-fuels, which Transport & Environment (T&E) criticizes as ineffective and potentially increasing reliance on unsustainable imports. T&E warns that extending combustion engine sales will divert crucial investment away from electrification, undermining Europe’s ability to compete with China’s rapidly advancing EV industry. While the EU introduced national electrification targets for large corporate fleets, T&E argues these targets lack ambition and allow plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to count despite their higher real-world emissions, especially in corporate contexts where
energyelectric-vehiclesEU-regulationscombustion-enginesCO2-emissionsgreen-steelbiofuelsEurovignette for Ukraine: Truck Tolling to Save Ukrainian Roads & Environment - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica explores the potential implementation of a Eurovignette-style truck tolling system in Ukraine to address the deteriorating state of its road infrastructure and environmental concerns. Since 2024, Ukraine’s State Road Fund has been largely diverted to military needs, leaving insufficient resources for road maintenance. As a result, road conditions have worsened significantly, with projections indicating that by 2025, 38% of road kilometers will be in poor condition. Additionally, Russian aggression has damaged 25,000 km of roads and 344 bridges. The aging and overloaded truck fleet—averaging 16.2 years old and dominated by less energy-efficient vehicles—exacerbates road damage and urban pollution. The article highlights that tolling trucks based on their road wear and environmental impact aligns with the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles and could generate substantial revenue to support road repairs and sustainable development. Financial modeling suggests that tolling trucks over 12 tons on key
energytransportationtolling-systemsroad-infrastructurepollution-controlCO2-emissionslogistics-costsThe Europe Car Market Is in the Grip of the Osborne Effect - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the current state of the European car market, which is experiencing an "Osborne effect" — a phenomenon where consumers delay purchases in anticipation of better future products, leading to a sharp decline in current sales. The author reflects on earlier predictions made nearly seven years ago and acknowledges that unforeseen events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine invasion heavily disrupted the market between 2020 and 2023, making it difficult to analyze underlying trends. However, with recent data from 2019 and the latter half of 2023, combined with industry insights, it is clear that the Osborne effect is now significantly impacting the market. Specifically, the article highlights a steep decline in internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) sales as consumers increasingly recognize the superiority of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in terms of driving experience and future viability. Despite a substantial growth in BEV sales—potentially around 490% from 2019 to 2024 if not for
energyelectric-vehiclesBEVautomotive-marketCO2-emissionsEuropean-car-marketclean-transportationTechnology Neutrality Is Not The Solution To The Car Industry’s Issues - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica argues that the European automotive industry's push for "technology neutrality"—allowing combustion engine vehicles, biofuels, and plug-in hybrids beyond the 2035 CO2 emissions target—is a short-sighted strategy that threatens Europe's competitiveness in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. Despite industry claims blaming regulatory targets for current struggles, the real issues stem from manufacturers prioritizing profits over volume, leading to higher car prices and reduced affordability for European consumers. This has resulted in declining sales and lost market share to Chinese EV competitors, who are rapidly advancing in both domestic and international markets. The article emphasizes that clear, ambitious targets like the 2035 electrification goal are essential to provide investment certainty and drive the development of the EV value chain, including batteries and charging infrastructure. Technology neutrality, by contrast, would undermine these investments and promote more expensive and less sustainable options, such as synthetic fuels and biofuels, which remain costly and inefficient. With global EV adoption accelerating—
energyelectric-vehiclesautomotive-industryCO2-emissionsEU-regulationsbattery-technologyclean-energyIs The European Car Industry Digging Its Own Grave? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critiques the European car industry's recent actions and strategies regarding the transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). It highlights how the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) initially sought to impose extra taxes on Chinese BEVs to offset subsidies, aiming to protect the local industry. While this move was accepted by the EU, it effectively diminished the competitive edge of Chinese BEVs, which benefit from significant R&D and economies of scale. Subsequently, ACEA successfully lobbied for a two-year extension to meet the EU’s 2025 CO2 emissions targets, delaying stricter regulations that would have accelerated BEV adoption. This delay is seen as a missed opportunity to push the European car industry toward a steady and more aggressive transition to electric vehicles. The article further argues that the European car industry is falling behind China in BEV technology and supply chain development, risking a loss of its competitive position both domestically and internationally. The current tariff protections for European manufacturers are temporary and unlikely
energyelectric-vehiclesEuropean-car-industryCO2-emissionsautomotive-technologyclean-energyelectric-mobilityPer Capita Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Decreased in Every US State between 2005 & 2023 - CleanTechnica
Between 2005 and 2023, every U.S. state experienced a decrease in per capita CO2 emissions from primary energy consumption, contributing to a nationwide 20% reduction in energy-related CO2 emissions. This decline is primarily attributed to a shift in electricity generation from coal to natural gas—which emits about half the CO2 of coal—and increased use of non-emitting renewable sources like wind and solar. Maryland led the nation with a 49% reduction in per capita emissions, driven by a 74% reduction in total CO2 emissions due to coal retirement and renewable energy adoption, alongside population growth. The District of Columbia recorded the lowest per capita emissions at 3.6 metric tons CO2 in 2023. Sectoral shifts also played a significant role: by 2023, the transportation sector became the largest source of CO2 emissions in half of the states, overtaking the electric power sector in many cases due to reduced coal use and relatively stable petroleum consumption for transport. Coastal
energyCO2-emissionsrenewable-energynatural-gascoal-reductionelectricity-generationtransportation-emissionsNearly All Truckmakers on Track to Meet 2025 EU CO2 Target — ICCT Finds - CleanTechnica
A recent analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals that five out of seven major European truck manufacturers are on track to meet the EU’s 2025 CO2 emissions reduction target of 15% below 2019 levels. This progress marks a significant shift after decades of stagnation in heavy-duty vehicle emissions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the EU’s CO2 standards. While trucks are becoming more fuel-efficient and the market for electric trucks is expanding—with at least 45 battery-electric and hydrogen models available across various applications—most manufacturers have primarily relied on improving internal combustion engine (ICE) truck efficiency rather than accelerating zero-emission vehicle adoption. The ICCT report highlights that despite some growth in electric truck sales, the uptake remains slower than expected, with only about 1.7% of new truck registrations being zero-emission in 2024, far below the anticipated 6%. Leading manufacturers like Volvo and Renault attribute only a third of their CO2 reductions to zero-emission
energyelectric-trucksCO2-emissionsEU-regulationszero-emission-vehiclesheavy-duty-vehiclestruck-electrificationPlug-in Hybrids Now Emit 5 Times, on Average, What Official Tests Claim — EU Data - CleanTechnica
A recent analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E) using data from the European Environment Agency reveals that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) emit, on average, nearly five times more CO2 in real-world driving than official EU test figures indicate. While official tests report average emissions of 28g CO2 per km, real-world data from fuel monitors on 127,000 PHEVs registered in 2023 show emissions averaging 139g CO2 per km. This discrepancy persists despite carmakers’ claims that PHEV technology has become cleaner. The EU currently applies “utility factors” to adjust official CO2 ratings to better reflect real-world emissions, with stricter factors planned for 2025 and 2027 to encourage a shift from PHEVs to fully battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The car industry lobby is pushing the EU to abandon these tightening rules, aiming to continue selling PHEVs beyond the 2035 zero-emission vehicle deadline. However, environmental
energyplug-in-hybridsCO2-emissionselectric-vehiclesEU-regulationsclimate-targetsautomotive-technologyTrends in EU Electric Vehicle Market & EU Auto Policies — Charts - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica reviews trends in the European Union’s electric vehicle (EV) market and the impact of EU auto policies on EV adoption. It reflects on a 2013 debate about whether EV adoption would naturally follow an S-curve driven by consumer incentives or require regulatory mandates forcing automakers to sell more EVs. The experience over the past decade confirms that while EV adoption has grown, significant progress has largely occurred in regions like China and Europe where automakers face binding sales requirements. In markets without such mandates, EV sales remain low, underscoring the importance of regulatory “sticks” alongside consumer incentives. Focusing on the EU, the article highlights recent regulatory changes where the EU delayed the enforcement of stricter 2025 CO₂ emissions targets until 2027. Transport & Environment (T&E) analysis shows that this delay caused automakers to reduce their EV sales efforts, resulting in a shortfall of approximately 2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) between 2025
energyelectric-vehiclesEU-auto-policiesCO2-emissionsrenewable-energyclean-transportationbattery-electric-vehiclesTax Credits Drive Carbon Capture Deployment in US EIA Annual Energy Outlook - CleanTechnica
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025) introduces a new Carbon Capture, Allocation, Transportation, and Sequestration (CCATS) module to model carbon capture deployment through the coming decades. The report projects that CO2 capture at electric power and industrial facilities will increase through the 2030s, primarily driven by enhanced tax credits established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These tax credits, which can be claimed for projects beginning construction before 2033 and last for up to 12 years after service, significantly incentivize carbon capture, with projected peak capture rates reaching between 1.5% and 3.5% of energy emissions in the late 2030s. However, CO2 capture is expected to decline after these credits expire by mid-century. The AEO2025 scenarios show variation in peak CO2 capture amounts, ranging from about 56 million metric tons (MMmt) in the Alternative Electricity case
energycarbon-capturetax-creditscarbon-sequestrationCO2-emissionsclean-energyclimate-policyHydrogen Isn’t The Answer: 0.7-1.5 Billion Tons CO2e Would Make It A Climate Liability - CleanTechnica
The article challenges the widespread perception of hydrogen as a clean-energy solution for decarbonizing difficult sectors such as heavy industry, aviation, maritime shipping, and long-haul trucking. It highlights findings from the EU-funded HYDRA project, which investigates hydrogen leakage throughout its production, transport, storage, and use. The project’s analysis, particularly a study by Politecnico di Torino, reveals that hydrogen leaks could result in 726 million to nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually by 2050 when measured by the Global Warming Potential over 20 years (GWP20). This significant climate impact largely undermines the presumed environmental benefits of scaling up hydrogen use. The study also points out that electrolysis, often promoted as the cleanest method for green hydrogen production, has notably high leakage rates averaging around 4%, with some real-world cases reaching over 9%. In contrast, conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) and SMR with carbon capture
energyhydrogen-economyclimate-impactCO2-emissionshydrogen-leaksclean-energyenvironmental-policyGerman Car Industry Demands the EU Guts Its CO2 Law, Despite Climate Consequences - CleanTechnica
The German car industry, represented by the VDA, is pushing the European Union to weaken its 2035 climate target for vehicle emissions, seeking exemptions for plug-in hybrids and incentives for low-carbon fuels. This comes after the industry previously opposed the 2025 EU target despite rising electric vehicle (EV) sales in Germany. If the EU accedes to these demands, carbon emissions from cars in Europe could increase by 0.5 to 1.4 gigatons, up to 31% more than current targets, according to Transport & Environment (T&E) analysis. T&E criticizes the industry’s proposal as a strategic move to undermine the EU’s climate goals, warning it would reduce battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to between 44% and 69% by 2035, far below the current 100% target. This rollback would damage market certainty and investor confidence, particularly in battery and charging infrastructure, hindering Europe’s efforts to build resilience in the EV sector. T&E emphasizes that the global automotive market is moving toward electrification regardless, and weakening the EU’s standards risks leaving its auto industry behind. The EU Commission is currently under pressure to review the 2035 law earlier than planned, following a delay in the 2025 target.
energyelectric-vehiclesCO2-emissionsEU-climate-policybattery-technologyautomotive-industryrenewable-energySuper-Efficient Air Conditioning Technology Slashes Energy Costs
energyair-conditioningelectricity-consumptionCO2-emissionsclean-technologyclimate-changeenergy-efficiencyBidgely Surpasses 1.5 TWh of Energy Savings, Offsetting 1M Tons of CO2 Emissions
energyenergy-efficiencyCO2-emissionselectric-vehicleshome-energy-managementcustomer-engagementclean-technology