According to Autoblogreen, Tokyo has picked taxis to be its spearhead for sustainable mobility. Tokyoite customers will from now on have the choice of using electric taxis. Although the experiment is confined to certain districts for the moment, it does not lack imitators and should therefore rapidly spread.
London is not going to be left behind, since, according to Green Car Congress, the English capital intends to spend €60m (£51.6m) on electric vehicles. An initiative that Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, bluntly asserts has to eventually "become the common sense option" for Londoners.
Italy is also taking to the electric car. Renault, Nissan and A2A (an Italian electricity producer) have formed a partnership in order to create the entire future national network for electric cars. From recharging points to the design and installation of cars, everything is planned for, according to Voitureelectrique.net.
As for Hawaii, according to Autoblogreen, the Pacific island intends to obtain 10,000 electric cars over the next five years. When you take into account that the 50th American state’s population barely exceeds a million inhabitants, then it really is a quantum leap that Hawaii is taking towards sustainable mobility.
As the number of electric car projects increases, it is necessary to make the use of these vehicles safe and secure. Voitureelectrique.net tells us that the foundation stone for this has been laid. In fact, the first agreement concerning the international security requirements of electric and hybrid vehicles has been signed in Geneva. The regulation resulting from this agreement is, notably, recognised by the 27 members of the EU.
Last but not least, sustainable mobility is developing in the air. In the United States, according to Green Car Congress, the Department of Defense and the Air Transport Association of America have formed an alliance in order to work on alternative aviation fuels. This partnership could well make those who predicted the end of long-haul air travel eat their words.
A university conference will take place in Quebec. The blog Haciba Guizen adds that it will be on the theme of urban mobility and involve reflection on the transformation of urban transport in order to respond to urban sprawl. Ultimately, the conference should promote sustainable urban mobility.
There’s only one step from a conference to a prototype. This is certainly the case with the first sections of road equipped with solar energy collectors, which, according to the Caradisiac website, could soon be constructed. There will be many advantages: reducing the risk of ice with a heating system, providing both recharging terminals for electric cars and electricity thanks to the surplus generated…
A car that runs off solar energy? Volvo has pushed the concept even further, we learn from the blog Objectif Terre des hommes: the car will be able to recharge via its bodywork. The vehicle should therefore be able to run longer without recharge… as it recharges itself as it goes!
Still on the road, biofuels could well take advantage of a new generation of innovations. Green Car Congress tells us, in fact, that a British consortium is working on a new process which could lead to the production of a biofuel that is cleaner than those of the current generation.
Finally, a clean, private transport, the bicycle is also taking advantage of the latest innovations in terms of sustainable mobility. According to the website Ubergizmo, the company Sanyo has just developed a "solar parking area" for electric bicycles: consisting of a roof equipped with solar panels, it allows bicycles to be recharged when they are not in use.
Two shows, to which converts to sustainable transport are very much looking forward, are opening in Paris (and the nearby area). First, Webcarnews reminds us that the 2010 book fair will be partly dedicated to sustainable mobility.
Then, the Bourget green aviation show will take place from the 18th to the 20th June 2010. According to Aeronautique.ma, the latest innovations of the sector will be on display. Let novices be assured: education will also take pride of place.
Finally, according to Webcarnews, Monaco will dedicate its usual "Ever" show to sustainable mobility. One to follow, from the 25th to the 28th March 2010, in the Monégasque principality.
