Articles tagged with "CO2-reduction"
Organization Argues We're Entering Dieselgate Sequel - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights concerns raised by Transport & Environment (T&E) that the automotive industry is on the verge of a "Dieselgate sequel," this time involving plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A decade after the original Dieselgate scandal—where Volkswagen and others were found to have manipulated diesel emissions tests—T&E warns that carmakers are again attempting to misrepresent the true emissions of their vehicles. Specifically, automakers and engine suppliers are lobbying the European Commission to abandon stricter EU regulations (utility factors set for 2025 and 2027) that would more accurately reflect real-world pollution from PHEVs. If successful, this could allow manufacturers to claim lower emissions than actual, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of more polluting cars on European roads by 2035, undermining efforts to transition to zero-emission vehicles. T&E and allied organizations argue that accurate emissions data for PHEVs is crucial, as current estimates may underestimate their real-world
energyemissionsdieselgateplug-in-hybridsautomotive-industryCO2-reductionenvironmental-policyMost Carmakers on Track to Meet EU CO2 Reduction Requirements - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica reports that most European carmakers are on track to meet the EU’s 2025–27 CO2 emission reduction targets, with electric vehicle (EV) sales up 38% in the first seven months of the year. BMW, Renault, Volkswagen, and Stellantis are expected to comply or exceed the targets, while Mercedes-Benz is the only major manufacturer projected to miss the targets and will need to purchase emission credits from competitors. However, a two-year extension of the 2025 emissions rules has led to a slowdown in EV sales growth, resulting in an estimated 2 million fewer EVs sold between 2025 and 2027 compared to the original timeline. The delay and concessions to the automotive industry have allowed carmakers to increase the price premium of EVs over combustion vehicles, despite favorable market trends such as falling battery costs and expanded charging infrastructure across the EU. Transport & Environment (T&E) urges the EU Commission to maintain stringent 2030 and
energyelectric-vehiclesEU-emissions-targetsautomotive-industrybattery-costscharging-infrastructureCO2-reductionWhy cement is climate's hardest challenge
The article highlights cement as one of the most significant climate challenges, responsible for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined. In 2022, the cement industry emitted roughly 1.6 billion tonnes of CO₂, with production at 4.1 billion tonnes annually and rising due to urbanization. China alone produces about half of the world’s cement, underscoring the scale of the problem. A key difficulty in reducing emissions lies in the chemical process of cement production: about 60% of CO₂ emissions come from the decomposition of limestone into clinker, not just from fuel combustion, meaning renewable energy alone cannot solve the issue. Despite efficiency gains since 1990, emissions could nearly double by 2050 without transformative changes. Engineers are pursuing multiple strategies to lower cement’s carbon footprint, particularly by reducing clinker content through blending alternative materials, often industrial byproducts. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), a steelmaking
materialscementcarbon-emissionssustainable-constructionindustrial-byproductsCO2-reductionclimate-solutionsNew Report: Buying Electric - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses a new report advocating for the European Commission to implement zero-emission (ZE) procurement targets focused on large shippers rather than truck operators to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucking. Large companies in the EU, defined as those with over 250 employees and more than €50 million in revenue, represent only 0.2% of companies but account for over half of the turnover and nearly 40% of road freight purchases. Setting annual ZE procurement targets for these large shippers to reach 100% by 2039 would align freight demand with truck CO2 emission standards, thereby driving demand for zero-emission trucks (ZETs). Alternatively, the report suggests targeting large manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, who collectively purchase about a quarter of road freight, with a 100% ZE procurement target by 2036. Such targets would incentivize shippers to support hauliers in adopting ZETs through mechanisms like green premiums or longer contracts,
energyzero-emission-trucksdecarbonizationcorporate-fleetssustainable-transportationCO2-reductiongreen-logisticsNew method pulls CO2 from air using cold air, simple sorbents
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel, cost-effective method for capturing atmospheric CO₂ by leveraging extremely cold air and simple, widely available porous sorbent materials called physisorbents. Their technique utilizes the cold energy generated during liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification—a process that typically wastes this cold—to chill ambient air to near-cryogenic temperatures (~ -78°C). This cooling removes water vapor naturally, creating ideal conditions for physisorbents like Zeolite 13X and CALF-20 to efficiently absorb CO₂ without the energy-intensive drying steps required by traditional direct air capture (DAC) systems that rely on chemical amines. The physisorbents demonstrated roughly three times higher CO₂ capture capacity at these low temperatures compared to room temperature, while also requiring less energy for CO₂ release and offering greater durability. Economic modeling indicates this approach could reduce DAC costs to around $70 per metric ton of CO₂—less than one-third of current expenses—potential
energycarbon-capturephysisorbentsLNG-regasificationmaterials-scienceCO2-reductionsustainable-technologyAcid vapor lets CO2 capture tech run 4,500+ hours without failures
Researchers at Rice University have developed a simple yet effective modification to electrochemical carbon capture systems that dramatically extends their operational lifespan. By replacing the conventional water-based humidification of CO2 gas with mild acid vapors—such as hydrochloric, formic, or acetic acid—the team prevented the formation of potassium bicarbonate salt deposits that typically clog gas flow channels and flood electrodes. This acid vapor approach dissolves the problematic salts, allowing them to be carried away with the gas flow, thereby avoiding blockages that cause premature device failure. Testing showed that this acid-based humidification enabled stable operation for over 4,500 hours in a 100-square-centimeter electrolyzer—more than 50 times longer than the roughly 80 hours achievable with traditional water humidification. The method proved effective across various catalysts including silver, zinc oxide, copper oxide, and bismuth oxide, without causing significant membrane corrosion due to the low acid concentrations used. Because the modification requires only minor changes to existing humidification setups
energycarbon-captureCO2-reductionelectrochemical-systemscatalystsacid-vapormembrane-technologyFrance’s €520/Ton CO₂ Problem: Hydrogen Is Too Expensive For Transport - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the findings of a French audit on the economics of decarbonized hydrogen production via electrolysis, revealing that the cost of avoiding CO₂ emissions through this method is approximately €520 per ton. This figure far exceeds typical societal costs for CO₂ reduction technologies, highlighting that electrolytic hydrogen remains economically unviable without substantial public subsidies. France’s National Hydrogen Strategy (SNH2), launched in April 2025, aims to rapidly expand electrolytic hydrogen production with over €9 billion allocated for this purpose. However, the Cour des comptes report underscores that even optimistic assumptions about energy prices do not significantly improve the economic outlook, and the reported €9 billion in subsidies likely underestimates the true financial burden due to unaccounted infrastructure costs and indirect subsidies. The audit also reveals a complex web of overlapping subsidies that effectively lower the cost burden for hydrogen producers. These include mechanisms like the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which, by increasing carbon costs for fossil-fuel-based hydrogen
energyhydrogendecarbonizationelectrolyzersrenewable-energypublic-subsidiesCO2-reductionEU Ignores EV Sales Data, Waters Down Requirements
electric-vehiclesEU-regulationsCO2-reductionEV-marketautomotive-industryclean-energyemissions-targets