In this time of economic crisis, sustainable mobility is being prioritised at a national level. AVEM tells us that the Obama administration is about to invest an extra $6bn (almost £4bn) in the electric vehicle. This aid budget, which helps people acquire an EV, could thus increase from $7,500 (£4,950) to $10,000 (£6,600) in certain states.

Still in America, the Korean manufacturer CT&T has decided to build the production line for its eZONE, an electric car that can drive at up to 55km/h (34 mph), in South Carolina. This will create 370 jobs, adds Gas 2.0.

Fenêtre Europe takes us back to Europe for a plea for a sustainable and competitive strategy for clean vehicles. 15 large European manufacturers, directly or indirectly employing 12 million people, should therefore be helped. The European Commission has published a strategic proposal taking this direction, which is part of the more global “Europe 2020” proposal.

The Renault/Nissan Group and the city of Seville, in Spain, give an illustration of this international realisation. AutoDeclics reports on an agreement to promote electric vehicles that has just been signed. Following an initial testing phase, the partnership should allow the promotion and commercialisation of zero-emission vehicles from 2011. The city of Seville will provide an infrastructure that is capable of ensuring the cars are powered.

Do cyclists need their own lanes in town? Treehugger tries to answer this question by putting forward the argument that many people will not use bicycles as they’re scared of the traffic. In the Netherlands, each new section of road is automatically accompanied by a bicycle lane. The city of Portland, Oregon, has even paid for cycle boulevards in order to facilitate the circulation of non-motorised two-wheelers.

The bicycle itself is changing appearance, with this surprising invention reported by EcoGeek. Shoppers on their bicycles are aware of the difficulties of transporting too many purchases home. This problem is now solved with the Ville, a folding bicycle designed by Hyuk-Jae Chang. The device has two baskets, which, once the bicycle is folded, turn into a 2-level trolley.

Finally, in Switzerland, the seven Members of the Federal Council have been exploring the roads of the Confederation President’s home canton, Argau, on electric bicycles. Romandie tells us that the “school race” is a Swiss tradition that involves the Members visiting constituencies together. This year, it was devoted to sustainable mobility.

Will airships replace planes in 10 years? The Guardian attempts to answer this bold supposition. According to Sir David King, Professor and former UK government scientific adviser, airships could replace planes for freight transport within a decade. Although they are not as fast, airships have several times the capacity of a Boeing 747.

As if to prove that these words are not merely science fiction, Futura Sciences announces that a solar-powered airship, the Sol’R, is going to attempt to cross the Channel. The prototype, its upper part covered in solar panels, could therefore repeat Louis Bleriot’s feat more than 100 years after the first airborne Channel crossing.

How far have batteries come? With the many innovations the sector is experiencing, an article from the Technology Review is an opportunity to take stock of recent developments. Although the cost of batteries seems increasingly affordable, the MIT scientific magazine thinks that numerous challenges remain as far as their commercialisation is concerned.

In France, it is also time to rally round. Valérie Pécresse, Minister for Higher Education and Research, has formalised the creation of a large research and development network in order to develop the batteries of the future. Among those involved, stipulates Industrie, are manufacturers, universities and research institutes.

Cleantech Republic comes back to the SAVE project (Seine Aval Véhicules Electrique) which brings together several partners (Renault/Nissan, EDF, Total, ADEME*, the Ile-de-France region, Schneider Electric and EPAMSA**). The project was presented at the EDF Eco Centre in Les Mureaux (near Paris). Parlons voiture électrique adds that it’s the first full-scale electric vehicle test in France. 100 Renault and Nissan vehicles will be provided to the 4 towns participating.

* the French Environment and Energy Management Agency
** a public development authority