RESET Special e-mobility Archives

object(WP_Query)#4838 (56) { ["query"]=> array(1) { ["custom_tags"]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" } ["query_vars"]=> array(71) { ["custom_tags"]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" ["error"]=> string(0) "" ["m"]=> string(0) "" ["p"]=> int(0) ["post_parent"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost_id"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment_id"]=> int(0) ["name"]=> string(0) "" ["pagename"]=> string(0) "" ["page_id"]=> int(0) ["second"]=> string(0) "" ["minute"]=> string(0) "" ["hour"]=> string(0) "" ["day"]=> int(0) ["monthnum"]=> int(0) ["year"]=> int(0) ["w"]=> int(0) ["category_name"]=> string(0) "" ["tag"]=> string(0) "" ["cat"]=> string(0) "" ["tag_id"]=> string(0) "" ["author"]=> string(0) "" ["author_name"]=> string(0) "" ["feed"]=> string(0) "" ["tb"]=> string(0) "" ["paged"]=> int(0) ["meta_key"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_value"]=> string(0) "" ["preview"]=> string(0) "" ["s"]=> string(0) "" ["sentence"]=> string(0) "" ["title"]=> string(0) "" ["fields"]=> string(3) "all" ["menu_order"]=> string(0) "" ["embed"]=> string(0) "" ["category__in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["post_name__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__and"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post_parent__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post_parent__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["author__in"]=> array(0) { } ["author__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["search_columns"]=> array(0) { } ["meta_query"]=> array(0) { } ["parsed_rml_folder"]=> int(0) ["ignore_sticky_posts"]=> bool(false) ["suppress_filters"]=> bool(false) ["cache_results"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_term_cache"]=> bool(true) ["update_menu_item_cache"]=> bool(false) ["lazy_load_term_meta"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_meta_cache"]=> bool(true) ["post_type"]=> string(0) "" ["posts_per_page"]=> int(9) ["nopaging"]=> bool(false) ["comments_per_page"]=> string(2) "50" ["no_found_rows"]=> bool(false) ["taxonomy"]=> string(11) "custom_tags" ["term"]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" ["order"]=> string(4) "DESC" ["use_rml_folder"]=> bool(false) } ["tax_query"]=> object(WP_Tax_Query)#6685 (6) { ["queries"]=> array(1) { [0]=> array(5) { ["taxonomy"]=> string(11) "custom_tags" ["terms"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" } ["field"]=> string(4) "slug" ["operator"]=> string(2) "IN" ["include_children"]=> bool(true) } } ["relation"]=> string(3) "AND" ["table_aliases":protected]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(24) "x_rst_term_relationships" } ["queried_terms"]=> array(1) { ["custom_tags"]=> array(2) { ["terms"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" } ["field"]=> string(4) "slug" } } ["primary_table"]=> string(11) "x_rst_posts" ["primary_id_column"]=> string(2) "ID" } ["meta_query"]=> object(WP_Meta_Query)#6708 (9) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> NULL ["meta_table"]=> NULL ["meta_id_column"]=> NULL ["primary_table"]=> NULL ["primary_id_column"]=> NULL ["table_aliases":protected]=> array(0) { } ["clauses":protected]=> array(0) { } ["has_or_relation":protected]=> bool(false) } ["date_query"]=> bool(false) ["queried_object"]=> object(WP_Term)#7145 (11) { ["term_id"]=> int(26098) ["name"]=> string(24) "RESET Special e-mobility" ["slug"]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" ["term_group"]=> int(0) ["term_taxonomy_id"]=> int(26098) ["taxonomy"]=> string(11) "custom_tags" ["description"]=> string(0) "" ["parent"]=> int(0) ["count"]=> int(34) ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["term_order"]=> string(1) "0" } ["queried_object_id"]=> int(26098) ["request"]=> string(1164) "SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS x_rst_posts.ID FROM x_rst_posts LEFT JOIN x_rst_term_relationships ON (x_rst_posts.ID = x_rst_term_relationships.object_id) LEFT JOIN x_rst_icl_translations wpml_translations ON x_rst_posts.ID = wpml_translations.element_id AND wpml_translations.element_type = CONCAT('post_', x_rst_posts.post_type) WHERE 1=1 AND ( x_rst_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id IN (26098) ) AND ((x_rst_posts.post_type = 'page' AND (x_rst_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR x_rst_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')) OR (x_rst_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (x_rst_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR x_rst_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled'))) AND ( ( ( wpml_translations.language_code = 'en' OR 0 ) AND x_rst_posts.post_type IN ('post','page','attachment','wp_block','wp_template','wp_template_part','wp_navigation','popup','popup_theme','cookielawinfo','team' ) ) OR x_rst_posts.post_type NOT IN ('post','page','attachment','wp_block','wp_template','wp_template_part','wp_navigation','popup','popup_theme','cookielawinfo','team' ) ) GROUP BY x_rst_posts.ID ORDER BY x_rst_posts.post_date DESC LIMIT 0, 9" ["posts"]=> &array(9) { [0]=> object(WP_Post)#6711 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(39618) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "179" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-12-09 08:00:06" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-12-09 08:00:06" ["post_content"]=> string(5868) "Traffic jams and congested roads are a big problem in almost every large city in the world. Could flying taxis offer a solution? Unlikely. They're not much more than the futuristic dream of a rich elite.All over the globe, more and more people are chosing to live in urban areas. But few of the world's cities were designed to house the growing number of people. The morning commutes can often become an ordeal lasting several hours, battling through congested roads. It's not only frustrating, it's terrible for the environment too.A brand new form of transportation - moving vehicles into the unused airspace above cities - is being touted as a solution, with companies all over the world, including Germany, developing flying taxis. But critics of the idea say that air taxis are a noisy, expensive and environmentally-unsustainable dream of a handful of wealthy businessmen.

Lilium and Volocopter: Germany's Flying Taxi Pioneers

The startup Lilium from near Munich has been working on developing a public transport jet since 2015 in a bid to enable a world where, as they put it, "anyone can fly anywhere, anytime". Their all-electric Lilium Jet takes off and lands vertically, and is designed to be as compact as possible for maximum ease of use in urban areas. The jet can carry four passengers at speeds of up to 300 km/h to their destination. First test flights have already been carried out successfully and Lilium wants to be on the market in several cities by 2025.The company Volocopter from Bruchsal in the south-east of Germany completed its first test flights back in 2011. Their current model, the VoloCity, is also 100 percent electric and will be able to fly up to 35 km at a top speed of 110 km/h. Just like the Lilium jet, the VoloCity is described as being both safe and exceptionally quiet. The companies also claim that flights are set to be just slightly more expensive than taxi rides are currently.The idea sounds promising at first: if we're running out of space on the ground, why not put traffic up in the air instead? But that's where the first mistake in thinking begins. There's actually much less room to manouevre in the air than on the roads. If taxis were to fly through the air in the future - in addition to parcel and surveillance drones and private aircraft - we would soon run out of space. And there are currently no rules in place about how to regulate air traffic over cities. These air taxis would also require take-off and landing areas. The roofs of buildings would be a suitable space, but our cities are unlikely to have enough free space to integrate them - and ensure that they're accessible. These factors quickly reveal the concept to be far less practical than it sounds. Just like the example of Dubai goes to show: Volocopter is currently organizing test flights there - with a grand total of just two take-off and landing areas. Air taxis will probably end up being more of a tourist attraction than an alternative to other means of transport. As a future form of mass transportation? Highly unlikely.Another obvious problem is the propulsion of the aircraft. Anyone who has ever been anywhere near a helicopter taking off knows that it produces both deafening noise and extremely strong winds. Although the companies claim that their flying taxis are extremely quiet, the volocopter, for example, has 18 rotors. A noiseless and windless take-off and landing seems hardly possible. The situation is similarly problematic when it comes to energy: although the machines are to be run 100 percent electric, they will probably require huge amounts of electricity to make them fly. Making sure that this is sourced from renewable energies is key to ensuring that the whole operation is sustainable - and that poses a major challenge. And last but not least, we have to consider the privacy of the people being "flown over". Before they've received their consent, air taxi operators will face major legal issues.

A tech gimmick - not a solution to traffic woes

At first glance, air taxis seem to be a fantastic, eco-friendly and efficient transport alternative. But taking a closer look, it quickly becomes clear that they won't come close to solving the pressing traffic problems facing our cities. They don't seem to be much more than the technological dream of a small, rich elite. In the future, if we're going to make any real sustainable progress, we have to move away from the concept of private transportation altogether. Instead of encouraging dreams of flying, investments should be made in expanding public transportation and making our inner cities more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists. The ongoing development of electric cars, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and a more intelligent use of the vehicles already on the roads - like through car sharing for example - are much smarter goals.We urgently need to transform our transport system - but how? Could switching over to electric transportation be the answer? In our RESET special on E-Mobility we take a look at the status quo and analyse the potentials of an all-electric future. You can read all of the articles in our special right here." ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Air Taxis: The (Un)Sustainable Future of Travel for the World's Elite?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(213) "

Traffic jams and congested roads are a big problem in almost every large city in the world. Could flying taxis offer a solution? Unlikely. They're not much more than the futuristic dream of a rich elite.

Ever since Germany's government voted to allow them onto the roads this June, they've appeared in their thousands across Berlin. The concept is simple: the scooters can be rented using an app for a fee of just one euro to start your journey, plus another 15 cents for every minute they’re ridden. Once you arrive at your destination, you can park the scooter up anywhere and continue on your way.

The eight or so different startups currently battling it out in the capital's e-scooter market all present themselves as offering a service that is part of a smart, sustainable mobility concept. According to them, e-scooters are not just convenient, they're green too because they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to cars. One provider even declares that their scooters are helping to “build a cleaner, safer, more connected world”. But what does that look like in reality?

Convenience when covering "the last mile"

In theory, e-scooters could improve city traffic if people leave their cars at home and opt to use scooters instead. While they’re not designed to cover long trips, for shorter car journeys e-scooters seem to represent a real alternative. Categorising them as a form of "micromobility", consulting firm McKinsey in a recent report claims that "micromobility could theoretically encompass all passenger trips of less than eight kilometres, which account for as much as 50 to 60 percent of today's total passenger miles travelled in China, the European Union, and the United States." The city of Portland published similar findings after a three-month pilot project: A survey showed that 34 percent of the inhabitants and 48 percent of the visitors had used a scooter instead of their own car or taxi, or a carpool service such as Uber.

The fact that you can leave them anywhere means that they can be driven literally door-to-door and offer a convenient way to cover the so-called “last mile”. This term refers to the distance between your front door and the train station or bus stop, or the distance from the stop to your final destination. Giving people a convenient and easy way to cover those short distances could encourage more people to take public transport rather than getting into their cars. Sure, many people could just walk or cycle instead - but not those with restricted mobility, while taking the bicycle on the train can be inconvenient and expensive when (like in Berlin) you have to buy a ticket for your bike too.

Eco-friendly alternative or tourist toy?

So are electric scooters really an effective environmentally-friendly form of transportation? There’s no simple answer. How green they truly are depends on whether the people using them really are leaving their car behind or if they’re riding the scooters around for the fun of it and thus producing additional traffic. In France, where the scooters were introduced a year ago, around a third of all users are thought to be tourists.

In Berlin in particular, trips on e-scooters are probably most likely to directly replace walks or bike rides - the two most unbeatably sustainable forms of transportation around. Not to mention that the infrastructure of the city is completely unsuitable in most areas. Berlin is still largely built for cars. And with more and more people switching to bicycles and other eco-friendly options, there is to limited space for non-car users on the roads. While e-scooter users in Germany are restricted to using them in bike paths and oficially banned from riding on the pavement, Berlin’s inadequate and badly maintained bike-path infrastructure has already seen e-scooter riders resort to driving in the roads alongside car traffic. Instead of new carparks and new multi-lane roads, better maintained and wider bike lanes are needed that offer enough space to be used by scooters as well.

The way the scooters are produced is also problematic. They are manufactured almost exclusively in China, often using energy from coal-fired power plants. Battery production is highly energy-intensive and sourcing the lithium for the batteries and recycling them further down the line both pose an environmental risk. So considering their production is so resource-intensive, it’s extra important that the scooters have a long lifespan. But how long they last varies depending on the hardware and the amount that they are used. In general, experience from other cities shows that their lifespan is extremely short due to either low quality parts and in some cases deliberate vandalism. One study from Louisville, Kentucky put the average life span at just 28 days. Companies will have to do all they can to make their hardware more robust and also by recycling and reusing different parts when the scooters breakdown.

On top of all that, cars and trucks have to travel around the city day and night to collect up the scooters and take them off to charge their batteries - not the most environmentally-friendly system in the world. And the electricity used to charge the scooters isn't renewable either. Germany's energy is still predominantly sourced from fossil fuels and nuclear power.

It’s difficult to say what the environmental impact of e-scooters really is. Calling them “zero carbon” transportation is certainly not (yet) true. But it's clear that scooters will only ever really reduce traffic and help the environment if they are replacing CO2-intensive vehicles. At the same time, the environmental impact of the scooters depends heavily on the energy that is used to charge them, their lifespan and the development of less resource-intensive and recyclable batteries. Ensuring that you yourself use them responsibly is a good place to start.

" ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Electric Scooters In Berlin: How Eco-Friendly Are They Really?" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(256) "As their popularity spreads throughout Europe, Germany has become the latest country to introduce electric scooters to its roads. Could they help solve traffic problems and make our cities cleaner and less polluted? What is their real environmental impact?" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(66) "electric-scooters-berlin-how-eco-friendly-are-they-really-07112019" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-05-21 13:50:16" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-05-21 13:50:16" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(89) "http://reset.org/blog/electric-scooters-berlin-how-eco-friendly-are-they-really-07112019/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1023) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [2]=> object(WP_Post)#6687 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(38361) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "387" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-11-05 11:55:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-11-05 11:55:00" ["post_content"]=> string(4902) "While electric vehicles are thought to be the answer to a future of green, clean mobility, questions have been raised about the sustainability of the batteries that power them. Could blockchain hold the key?Thanks to financial incentives, their green credentials and growing acceptance for the technology, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are booming. According to some predictions, while approximately only 2 million vehicles are set to be sold in 2018, sales will reach 11 million by the year 2025, before leaping to 30 million by 2030 - when they're predicted to become cheaper than petrol and diesel vehicles. While they have a positive impact on the environment, producing them, and in particular, their lithium-ion batteries, requires the mining of rare minerals such as cobalt, which has been proven to be mined in dangerous and unethical conditions, even in some cases using child labour. The same mineral - along with tantalum and cobalt - go into making smartphones and other electronics.Now a UK company has developed Circulor, a blockchain based traceability system for tracking minerals from mine to manufacturer and ensuring their sustainability - with a central focus on both the electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets. "The technical challenge is to demonstrate provenance as the material changes from mined ore, through various processes to become incorporated within the finished car, phone or computer," Douglas Johnson-Poensgen, CEO and Founder of Circulor explained to RESET.

So, how does it work?

Behind Circulor's solution is a distributed ledger, a blockchain, that records the details of all of the minerals that enter the system. Producers use a mobile app to register the raw materials on the Circulor platform, while the Circulor Protocol is used to verify the data, carrying out tests on it via a chain of Smart Contracts before it enters the blockchain: checking that the process took place at an accredited facility, at the expected time, for the expected duration and in a way that matches the site's declared operating capacity.Circulor is also using other tools to ensure that the data introduced in its platform is accurate. “We want to record who, where, what (material composition) and when it was first logged. This is supported by an on the ground due diligence and inspection programme to make it harder to cheat. We are working on incorporating aerial imagery analysis to judge whether the stated mine location is actually producing the volume of material that is being claimed,” says Douglas.Among their clients is BMW, the car manufacturer, who wants to prove that their cars are using cobalt that doesn't come from conflict areas and that has been mined in a socially and environmentally responsible way. And Circulor recently launched a pilot project in Rwanda, where most of the world's tantalum comes from, to help producers tag and trace their tantalum as it moves through the supply chain. As well as helping consumers see where the materials come from in the products that they buy, and making it harder for non-ethically sourced materials to get through the supply chain, the platform also hopes to "dramatically reduce costs for miners who currently shoulder a disproportionate share of the cost of compliance."Circulor is one of a number of companies that is plugging into growing consumer interest in the story behind the things that they buy - whether it's minerals, food and clothing, coffee. And if we really believe in the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, we need to also be aware of the raw materials that go into producing them, and be sure that they too meet sustainability standards. As Douglas predicts: “Car and electronics manufacturers know its only a matter of time before this issue becomes mainstream and they need a solution before then.”" ["post_title"]=> string(75) "An Electric Car With an Ethical Battery? Circulor Wants to Make It Possible" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(214) "

While electric vehicles are thought to be the answer to a future of green, clean mobility, questions have been raised about the sustainability of the batteries that power them. Could blockchain hold the key?

" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(18) "dafadsfds-11042018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2021-09-10 15:34:47" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2021-09-10 15:34:47" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(41) "http://reset.org/blog/dafadsfds-11042018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1274) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(WP_Post)#6675 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(38163) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "197" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-09-13 03:50:37" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-09-13 03:50:37" ["post_content"]=> string(7610) "

A road surface that generates electricity from sunlight, absorbs noise, breaks down nitrogen oxides, defrosts ice in winter, provides valuable data and supplies electric vehicles with electricity. Sound too good to be true? It's true, and it's here. The "Voltstreet" concept developed by our partner project Solmove has already won numerous awards and is set to be installed on a cycle path near Cologne, Germany, this October.

The original solar street idea was born in the Allgäu, in Bavaria. Donald Müller-Judex, founder of the company, had spent three days driving around the area looking for an empty roof to install solar panels on. But all the roofs he found were already covered with panels. Something else, however, was empty and catching the sun's rays: the many roads he was driving down. That was where the idea was born - the idea of using all that unitilised "horizontal" potential and transforming it into smart roads. Using roads not just for traffic but also as a source of solar power would make it possible to produce enough clean electricity to power 20 million EVs - without taking up any extra land. That was the first calculation. But solar roads could do even more: not just supply EVs with electricity, but also with data too. While at the same time making sure driving on them is quiet, clean and comfortable.

The Solmove company was founded in 2014. In a research alliance with two Fraunhofer Institutes, two universities and other experts, the original solar street concept was developed into a multifunctional "solar carpet" containing photovoltaic cells, LEDs and sensors. The system is easily electrically connected - the modules are simply clicked together - and can then be glued to existing surfaces such as roads and paths. The electricity generated is fed into the grid or used right there on the spot. In the future, electric vehicles will be able to "suck" the electricity out of the street via induction (similarly to the already-proven system of wirelessly charging cars when parked). The Solmove road surface also has noise reduction properties and offers both lighting and heating. And sustainability is key: the modules are robust enough to last an estimated 20-25 years, and their later removal has been thought about too - the surface can be milled away just like conventional asphalt, and 95 per cent of the granulate is recyclable.

3S - Smart Solar Street Platform

Solmove's multifunctional surface is set to turn the road network into a power network, and - in another first - also a data network. The integrated sensor technology will make the road "feel" what's going on around it - obtaining real-time data about vehicle positions, and cleverly optimising the flow of traffic and controlling the traffic lights.

In addition to all this, Solmove is developing a platform where different providers can offer services. The 3S (Smart Solar Street) platform will be used to connect utilities, charging infrastructure operators, big data applications, traffic control, fleet management, car park owners and payment service providers, among others. That could, for example, make it possible for a shop to book cargo bikes using the platform or for a battery supplier for EV charging stations to monitor their stations and manage their customers via the 3S system.

Biking down the "Solar Street"

Production of the solar modules began in August 2018: "For the first time, Solmove's glass modules are coming off the production line - perfectly-sized and by the ton. We have been working on this for two years and are delighted to now have enough glass for the first solar cycle path and for other projects. If everything goes well, then the Federal Minister for the Environment will open the cycle path near Cologne in October," said Müller-Judex.

The cycle path near Cologne will be 90 metres long and is partly financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU). The official opening is very soon.

It's the journey, not the destination

Solmove is currently receiving more requests for its smart solar street system than they are able to handle. And not without reason: alongside its many other selling points, the solar surface seems to pay off. According to Solmove, while a conventional road has annual costs of one euro per square metre, a solar road can actually earn money, with the current yield approximately 3 to 5 euro per square metre annually.

The team behind Solmove has big plans: "Success for us will be converting hundreds of kilometres of road into power stations, thereby saving thousands of tons of CO2, having millions of humans travel across it sustainably in their EVs and making billions of US dollars of crude oil purchases redundant. It would be ideal if 190 countries in the world could be made energy-autonomous thanks to solar roads - removing at least one of the main reasons for war in the world," says Donald Müller-Judex.

Other countries are also working on solar roads, including SolaRoad (Netherlands), Wattway (France), Platio (Hungary), Solar Roadways (USA) and Pavenergy (China). What distinguishes Solmove is its smart multifunctionality and fast installation. All suppliers, just like Solmove, are at the beginning of a development process that will continue for years. It will be particularly interesting to see how the roads hold up under long-term use and pressure.

RESET has been supporting Solmove on its way to successful financing and to a sustainable business model within the framework of Green Impact Finance. We're really happy to see that we're off to a good start!

If you would like to contribute to the further development of solar streets: Solmove is currently looking for a software architect. Information (in German) about the job can be found here.

This is a translation by Marisa Pettit of an original article that first appeared on RESET's German-language site.

" ["post_title"]=> string(42) "Solmove Set to Open First Solar Cycle Path" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(252) "

A road surface that generates electricity from sunlight, absorbs noise, breaks down nitrogen oxides, defrosts ice in winter, provides valuable data and supplies electric vehicles with electricity. Sound too good to be true? It's true, and it's here." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(49) "solmove-opens-its-first-solar-cycle-path-09112018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-06-17 10:44:57" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-17 10:44:57" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(72) "http://reset.org/blog/solmove-opens-its-first-solar-cycle-path-09112018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1331) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [4]=> object(WP_Post)#6712 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(38136) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "384" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-09-10 04:00:09" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-09-10 04:00:09" ["post_content"]=> string(5591) "

SunCycles is supplying Namibia with the latest in sustainable transportation - the country's first ever fleet of solar-powered e-bikes.

How can people get from A to B the best, fastest and most cost-effective way possible? And ideally not damaging the environment in the process? Particularly in cities, these are crucial questions, especially considering the prediction that by 2050 more than two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban areas.

In Namibia, half of the population already lives in cities. Compared to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, this is relatively high. For this urban population, transport is a major cost. On average, ten per cent of people's income is spent on transportation - even more than that for those people with lower incomes. A lack of local transport services increases dependence on cars and makes the use of taxis indispensable, especially in the capital Windhoek, where some 400,000 people live.

More sustainability with solar bikes

The most inexpensive means of transport - the bicycle - is rarely seen in Windhoek. One reason for this is the lack of infrastructure for cyclists, and another is the city's steep slopes and high temperatures. But now the social startup SunCycles is turning the power of the sun from a challenge into a resource - offering the country's first-ever solar-powered e-bikes.

The e-bikes help people overcome the city's hills more easily, with the sun used to generate energy for the wheels. At several solar-powered stations in the city, the bicycles' batteries can be charged for free. On a full charge it's possible to cover 30-50 km, depending on the weight of the person travelling, the speed and the amount of pedalling required. The e-bikes are available in different models for different needs. As well as being able to be used on city roads, they're also used for safaris and by gamekeepers in national parks.

With Namibia aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 89 per cent by 2030, ideas like this are coming at just the right time. A common argument against the electrification of transport is the question of how the electricity is produced. Fossil fuels are still the main source in most countries, which of course also contributes to CO2 emissions. SunCycles solves this dilemma by charging its bikes using only emission-free, solar energy. All that's missing now are infrastructure measures to enable safe cycling in the city and thus get more people on their bikes.

Is electromobility really the future? Check out our RESET Special on E-Mobility to find out more.

This is a translation by Marisa Pettit of an original article which first appeared on RESET's German-language site.

" ["post_title"]=> string(44) "SunCycles: Solar-Powered E-Bikes for Namibia" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(283) "

SunCycles is supplying Namibia with the latest in sustainable transportation - the country's first ever fleet of solar-powered e-bikes.

" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(75) "suncycles-solar-bikes-machen-namibias-transportsektor-nachhaltiger-09052018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-06-21 12:35:50" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-21 12:35:50" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(98) "http://reset.org/blog/suncycles-solar-bikes-machen-namibias-transportsektor-nachhaltiger-09052018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1341) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(WP_Post)#6713 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(38123) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "381" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-09-03 08:15:29" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-09-03 08:15:29" ["post_content"]=> string(3308) "Powered by electricity, completely recyclable and made from renewable materials - does this sound like a car to you? Absolutely. Say hello to "Noah".Electric cars are to set shrink the automotive industry's CO2 footprint by fossil-fuel powered engines and replacing them with more climate-friendly electric ones (with electricity from green, renewable sources of course). But what about the carbon footprint of the vehicles themselves? Replacing huge amounts of petrol-driven cars with environmentally-friendly electric ones means investing a huge amount of resources and energy in their construction. That also has a negative effect on the climate. And in addition to all that, the old cars will have to be scrapped or recycled - meaning huge amounts of energy used separating and processing the various materials.Students at the TU/Ecomotive in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, have an idea for making the production and recycling cycle of electric cars much more sustainable: a car almost completely made of sustainable materials that is also completely recyclable.

Noah: A Car Made of Flax and Sugar

The two-seater named "Noah" is made of so-called polyactides (PLA) and flax. PLA is a synthetic polymer, also known as polylactic acid, which can be made from sugar and is already used in other industries for the production of biodegradable plastics. According to TU/Ecomotive, PLA and flax are not only regenerative and biodegradable. The production of the materials used to build the car also consumes up to six times less energy than conventional lightweight materials such as aluminium or carbon.And Noah is really light too: without batteries it weighs only 360 kilos. Thanks to its low weight, the car manages to run on just a 60-kilo battery (other electric cars sometimes require batteries weighing several hundred kilos), which can transport it about 240 kilometres per charge.What's the makers' motivation? "We want to show that circular economy is already possible in complex products such as cars," says Cas Verstappen from the team of inventors at the TU/Ecomotive.Noah definitely won't be replacing the average family car just yet - it's too small for that. But as soon as it is approved for use on public roads, it could be used in other ways, like for expanding cities' car sharing fleets for example.Want to know more about e-mobility? Then check out RESET's E-Mobility Special!This article is a translation by Marisa Pettit of an original article which first appeared on RESET's German language site." ["post_title"]=> string(43) "Meet Noah, the World's First Recyclable Car" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(152) "

Powered by electricity, completely recyclable and made from renewable materials - does this sound like a car to you? Absolutely. Say hello to "Noah"." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(58) "das-ist-noah-das-erste-zirkulaer-recycelbare-auto-09022018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-06-21 12:38:43" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-21 12:38:43" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(81) "http://reset.org/blog/das-ist-noah-das-erste-zirkulaer-recycelbare-auto-09022018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1350) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [6]=> object(WP_Post)#6714 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(37328) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "197" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-02-19 12:18:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-02-19 12:18:00" ["post_content"]=> string(6322) "How about doing a bit of karaoke while your EV tanks up? In Shanghai, now you can. Could the sing-while-you-wait concept give e-mobility a boost in Europe too?Over the past couple of months, RESET has put the topic of e-mobility under the microscope. With the transport sector accounting for one-fifth of all C02 emissions in the EU in 2016, a major switch over to electric vehicles could massively decrease the amount of greenhouse gases and particulate pollution that are released into the atmosphere. But what will it take for e-mobility to make it to the mainstream?A ton of innovations have already sprung up, all designed to make e-mobility more attractive to consumers and to take the hassle out of when/how/where to charge - from charging stations built into lampposts, to apps that help you find an appropriate charging station and an Airbnb style option for charging at different people's homes.But all of these approaches have one thing in common (unless we're talking about inductive charging, of course, where the vehicle is charged while you drive via special covering placed on the road surface) - once you've plugged your vehicle in, you're in for a bit of a wait before you can get back on the road.As a response to that very issue, China has reinvented the charging station - or put a new spin on it at least. EV drivers in Shanghai now have the option of charging their vehicles at special "filling stations" that don't just offer electricities for their batteries, but also a whole range of entertainment options. While downstairs their vehicles are chugging energy, the EV drivers are welcome to use the space above where there are two virtual reality games rooms, a cafe with free internet access, karaoke rooms, a cinema and several VIP spaces where you can enjoy a private film screening.The 2500 metre square filling station in Western Shanghai isn't exactly overrun with drivers right now, but Tellus Power, the company behind it, believes user numbers will rise and already has plans to open other branches. The company wants to open ten charging stations in the next few years in Shanghai alone, with plans to one day eventually expand into Europe.

Zero Emissions Thanks to Rooftop Solar Panels

The station has 44 charging points, 13 60-kilowatt DC chargers, 29 AC devices and two Tesla charging points. The DC chargers can charge a vehicle within 20 minutes, while the others need around three to four hours. The centre can charge up to 400 cars per day.And what makes this place really special? The electricity used doesn't come from the central grid, but instead directly from the roof of the building. Full of solar panels, the energy they produce ends up in the car batteries. Any excess energy is fed into the public grid. This concept results in a zero emissions charging centre.The pioneering project is receiving support from the Chinese government. Unlike many other countries, China is pouring money into the promotion of vehicles with alternative drives and thousands of new charging stations are being installed every month. And the numbers show that it's paying off: China is the world leader in both the production and use of electric vehicles - the country with the largest number of EVs on the road, and sales of so-called "new energy cars" were up 53.3 per cent on last year, according to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Could the Concept Work Elsewhere?

Even if karaoke and VR rooms might find less fans outside of Asia than they do in China, Shanghai's electric filling station provides a good basis for a discussion about how the concept could work in other cultural contexts. How can EV owners use the time productively when they're forced to sit and wait for their vehicles to be charged?If urban areas were to properly prepare for e-mobility and set up the infrastructure to provide for it, then huge charging centres like this probably wouldn't be necessary very often. One solution that comes to mind is a decentralised infrastructure where charging stations are distributed throughout the city at places where cars are going to be parked for a while anyway: in front of supermarkets, shopping centres, libraries, cinemas and car parks, for example. In that way, the "entertainment" part is already provided for. And apps like Share&Charge could help bring more charging points to rural areas and allow more motorists easy access.But I could see entertainment/filling stations like this having real potential on European motorways. A combination of EV charging station & entertainment centre (with cinema, sport and play areas) could be a good way of adding some fun and variety to long journeys with the electric car. And with solar power directly from the rooftop solar panels, the energy mix is certainly greener than what you'll normally find elsewhere.This is a translation by Marisa Pettit of the original article that first appeared on RESET's German-language site." ["post_title"]=> string(71) "In Shanghai Now You Can Do Karaoke While You Wait for Your EV to Charge" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(162) "

How about doing a bit of karaoke while your EV tanks up? In Shanghai, now you can. Could the sing-while-you-wait concept give e-mobility a boost in Europe too?" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(70) "shanghai-where-ev-charging-station-meets-entertainment-centre-02072018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2021-11-16 12:59:05" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2021-11-16 12:59:05" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(93) "http://reset.org/blog/shanghai-where-ev-charging-station-meets-entertainment-centre-02072018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1583) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [7]=> object(WP_Post)#6715 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(37314) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "9" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-02-04 23:12:42" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-02-04 23:12:42" ["post_content"]=> string(3610) "

What if you could combine the versatility of a bike with the functionality of a car? Say hello to the Veemo.

From EV carsharing schemes to electric scooters and even electric aircraft, the increased spread of electromobility has the potential to revolutionise the way we get from A to B - reducing air pollution and offering increased flexibility and affordability. The latest innovative addition is the Veemo, a three-wheeled, electric-assisted bicycle that developers believe could one day replace cars on the roads of cities around the world.

Developed by Vancouver's VeloMetro, the Veemo is a closed-top velomobile with a pedal-electric drivetrain - meaning it relies on a combination of pedal power and electric battery, a bit like an electric bicycle. The big difference here though, to e-bikes: Veemo drivers are legally allowed to travel on both roads and bike lanes. And there are other cool "car-like" elements too, like the indicators, smart control locks, the fully-enclosed body (complete protection from the elements!) and the rather handy storage space in the back. A solar panel on the roof is said to extend the vehicle range by up to 20km per day.

The vehicles are specifically designed for shared use, and renting one can easily be carried out via app, just like other car and bikesharing services: locate the vehicle, reserve it, activate it and off you go. And because the Veemo is officially classified as an electric bicycle, there's no driver's licence required - anyone over 19 can rent it out. There's no sign-up fee, and a trip costs just 10 USD an hour. For shorter trips, it's a maximum of 28 cents a minute.

Autumn 2017 saw the first pilot fleet hit the campus of the University of British Columbia, where there are up to 65,000 students, university employees and residents that are eligble to use them. Heading next to Vancouver's city centre, Veemo's leadership hopes it becomes a fully-functioning rental service that spreads in popularity to other cities around the world.

It is unclear whether the current trend for shared mobility options will result in a move away from an attitude of ownership and toward the sharing economy. However, with more and more practical, green and accessible options like Veemo on the roads, it's easier than ever to imagine.

This is a translation by Marisa Pettit of an article which originally appeared on our German-language site.

" ["post_title"]=> string(57) "Veemo: the Pedal-Powered Velomobil That Thinks It's a Car" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(115) "

What if you could combine the versatility of a bike with the functionality of a car? Say hello to the Veemo.

" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(56) "veemo-pedal-powered-velomobil-you-can-rent-hour-02052018" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-06-09 14:14:37" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-09 14:14:37" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(79) "http://reset.org/blog/veemo-pedal-powered-velomobil-you-can-rent-hour-02052018/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1592) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [8]=> object(WP_Post)#7143 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(37077) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "390" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2017-12-06 03:00:54" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2017-12-06 03:00:54" ["post_content"]=> string(3552) "BMW's Vision E³ Way concept proposes an 'elevated, electric and efficient' solution to urban congestion and cyclist safety.Car manufacturer BMW recently announced an ambitious new concept aimed at revolutionising urban mobility. Dubbed Vision E3 Way, the concept imagines emission-free elevated roads designed to be used solely by electric bikes, motorcycles and scooters.The paths, which will typically be built over existing roads, will reportedly boast a variety of features designed to give e-bikers a safer, more comfortable ride. In the initial concept developed by BMW's Shanghai Technology Office, future users would enjoy roofing over the routes, as well as more high-tech features including a rainwater recycling temperature control system, AI-managed traffic system and an automatic speed limit of 15.5MPH.BMW were also eager to espouse the environmental benefits of their proposal, suggesting it would help eliminate congestion and emissions as well as make e-biking more attractive to urban commuters. This new increase in demand for e-bikes would be catered for via frequent pit stops allowing riders to easily rent e-vehicles and conveniently charge their personal vehicles.What's more, they claim this utopian electric dream is achievable at a modest price thanks to its simple, modular and economical design.

A Vision for Success

The impetus behind the project is clear, with cyclists and motorcyclists often facing dangerous and stressful commutes alongside cars, buses and pedestrians. This is especially true in China where an increase in car ownership, urban migration and pollution has clashed with the country's traditional penchant for cycling. Indeed, it appears that the Vision E³ is most likely being aimed towards Asian markets, with China in particular currently undergoing an electric vehicle boom.

Elsewhere, however, BMW's Vision E3 is likely to conjure up some skeptical looks, especially regarding the feasibility of its implementation in older, crowded and convoluted cities. Despite BMW's somewhat blasé claims about its cost and simplicity, it's hard to imagine its city-wide introduction as being anything but costly, disruptive and complex. SkyCycle, a planned elevated cycle path in London, was recently price-tagged at 10.7 billion USD, and that's without many of E3's futuristic accoutrements.

Ultimately, however, BMW's concept is a clear step in the direction of a burgeoning e-mobility revolution defined by efficient AI managed systems and electric vehicle sharing schemes." ["post_title"]=> string(63) "BMW's E-Bike Concept Wants to Rise Above Congestion. Literally." ["post_excerpt"]=> string(137) "

BMW's Vision E³ Way concept proposes an 'elevated, electric and efficient' solution to urban congestion and cyclist safety." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(66) "bmws-e-bike-concept-wants-rise-above-congestion-literally-12062017" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2021-11-16 13:00:26" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2021-11-16 13:00:26" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(89) "http://reset.org/blog/bmws-e-bike-concept-wants-rise-above-congestion-literally-12062017/" ["menu_order"]=> int(1653) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(9) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["before_loop"]=> bool(true) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#6711 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(39618) ["post_author"]=> string(3) "179" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-12-09 08:00:06" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-12-09 08:00:06" ["post_content"]=> string(5868) "Traffic jams and congested roads are a big problem in almost every large city in the world. Could flying taxis offer a solution? Unlikely. They're not much more than the futuristic dream of a rich elite.All over the globe, more and more people are chosing to live in urban areas. But few of the world's cities were designed to house the growing number of people. The morning commutes can often become an ordeal lasting several hours, battling through congested roads. It's not only frustrating, it's terrible for the environment too.A brand new form of transportation - moving vehicles into the unused airspace above cities - is being touted as a solution, with companies all over the world, including Germany, developing flying taxis. But critics of the idea say that air taxis are a noisy, expensive and environmentally-unsustainable dream of a handful of wealthy businessmen.

Lilium and Volocopter: Germany's Flying Taxi Pioneers

A tech gimmick - not a solution to traffic woes

" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(58) "flugtaxis-der-wenig-durchdachte-traum-vom-fliegen-12032019" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-06-01 19:17:38" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-01 19:17:38" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(81) "http://reset.org/blog/flugtaxis-der-wenig-durchdachte-traum-vom-fliegen-12032019/" ["menu_order"]=> int(890) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> int(34) ["max_num_pages"]=> int(4) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(false) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(true) ["is_date"]=> bool(false) ["is_year"]=> bool(false) ["is_month"]=> bool(false) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(true) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(false) ["is_privacy_policy"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_embed"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(false) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_favicon"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash":"WP_Query":private]=> string(32) "d2c3d0ea57087e50d870e6ebea1f77c2" ["query_vars_changed":"WP_Query":private]=> bool(true) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["allow_query_attachment_by_filename":protected]=> bool(false) ["stopwords":"WP_Query":private]=> NULL ["compat_fields":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(15) "query_vars_hash" [1]=> string(18) "query_vars_changed" } ["compat_methods":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(16) "init_query_flags" [1]=> string(15) "parse_tax_query" } ["query_cache_key":"WP_Query":private]=> string(84) "wp_query:f2bb30a55d625cc8203f87fe28e23789:0.56914700 17481105740.59268200 1748110640" } object(WP_Term)#7145 (11) { ["term_id"]=> int(26098) ["name"]=> string(24) "RESET Special e-mobility" ["slug"]=> string(24) "reset-special-e-mobility" ["term_group"]=> int(0) ["term_taxonomy_id"]=> int(26098) ["taxonomy"]=> string(11) "custom_tags" ["description"]=> string(0) "" ["parent"]=> int(0) ["count"]=> int(34) ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["term_order"]=> string(1) "0" }

Content to: RESET Special e-mobility

E-Mobility

Knowledge

Air Taxis: The (Un)Sustainable Future of Travel for the World’s Elite?

E-Mobility

Knowledge

Electric Scooters In Berlin: How Eco-Friendly Are They Really?

As their popularity spreads throughout Europe, Germany has become the latest country to introduce electric scooters to its roads. Could they help solve traffic problems and make our cities cleaner and less polluted? What is their real environmental impact?

Pixabay/MikesPhotos

Impact Economics

News

An Electric Car With an Ethical Battery? Circulor Wants to Make It Possible

Bernd Sieker

Environment

Green Innovation

BMW's Vision E3 Way concept proposes an 'elevated, electric and efficient' solution to urban congestion and cyclist safety.

Load more articles

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Necessary

Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.