Thinking about the individual in sustainable mobility: this is the creed of the Mobilists Observatory, an initiative led by the “Vehicle of the Future” business and research cluster presented to us by the Journal du Développement durable. In fact, the “Mobilists Observatory” is trying to understand the psychological and social behaviour and motivations of "mobilists", to analyse what moderates and what stimulates their behaviour and, finally, to anticipate solutions regarding questions of mobility.

As for Transports du futur, it has been looking into the issues regarding the move from the personal vehicle to mobility services (such as, for example, car pooling or car sharing) for users. According to the website, the main advantages are energy efficiency and the possibility of improving traffic circulation in real time thanks to information and communication technology (ICT), notably in order to identify parking spaces in advance. However, among the risks identified is the difficulty that users have sharing a vehicle (lack of confidence).  It is therefore difficult to make this type of service economically attractive.

Finally, back to practical action in towns : Innov City tells us that London is going to get a cable car in order to link the two banks of the Thames and carry 2,500 passengers an hour, or the equivalent of 50 full buses. This initiative also aims to be ready for the Olympic Games in 2012.

La Poste is updating part of its fleet and has opted to go electric: it will use the Berlingo First, developed by Citroën in collaboration with the Monegasque manufacturer Venturi. According to Car Tech, it should be acquiring a total number of 250 electric Berlingo Firsts by the end of the year.

At a sneak preview before the 2010 Paris Motor Show 2010, Renault is unveiling the DeZir concept car. The Z is a direct reference to the ZE (zero emission) signature and the car’s design features are inspired both by advanced technology and lightness. Green Car Congress highlights the three possible charging modes : standard charge, through a conventional household plug (complete charge in 8 hours); fast charge, through a 400V three-phase current (charges 80% of the battery in 20 minutes); and battery exchange, thanks to Renault’s Quick Drop technology.

And finally, Green Launches takes us into the realm of science fiction as it presents the project entitled "Humanoid Robot". It’s a 120-cm high robot, which, according to the blog, is capable of helping to drive an electric vehicle, and also of carrying shopping bags and [quite possibly] opening car doors... and all this while giving the latest news updates.

Solar energy is riding high. The Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development, in association with large European industrialists, has launched the Transgreen network project, which aims to transport 5 Gigawatts of solar electricity to Europe via underwater cables. This technology has proven itself at the technical level; however, Développement Durable stipulates that it could still be slowed down by legal obstacles and reticence on the part of certain countries.

However, rays of sun should not only be used to supply our households’ energy requirements. Indeed, AutoBlog Green reports the arrival of a new kind of ferry, which is powered by solar panels and is currently in use in Hong Kong. So that the hundred or so passengers on the boat are reassured, there are also diesel engines so that crossings can take place when the sky is cloudy!

Finally, an irony of history. The US Department of Energy has just announced the conversion of a former nuclear test site in Nevada into a huge laboratory for new solar energy uses. The tests carried out in the middle of the desert are aiming to build a solar energy concentration system that is capable of creating a higher yield than current photovoltaic systems, stipulates PlanetGreen.