Clean Vehicle leading practitioners gathered in Stockholm
A great number of Trendsetter and Civitas projects were presented at the first international Clean Vehicles and Fuels 04 conference and exhibition in Stockholm in June.
"This is an important conference. I’m glad that you’ve had such good media coverage", said Sweden’s Minister for the Environment, Lena Sommestad, speaking at the conference. The event covered three full days in early June with many visitors, some 60 seminars and 20 exhibitors.
The conference, which drew 243 participants from 23 countries, became an international meeting place for real enthusiasts that have one thing in common – wanting to change transport in the world and create a sustainable development of vehicles. Civitas cities were well represented.
The Stockholm conference was the first of its kind to offer opportunities for the exchange of cross-technological experience. Ethanol, biogas, electricity, electric hybrid and fuel-cell technologies were all represented in the programme. For the most part seminars focused on tangible results from work with clean vehicles around the world. Participants and visitors were also able to test-drive a range of clean vehicles. Many also took a ride in Stockholm Transport's hydrogenpowered fuel-cell bus.
GLOBAL ISSUE
"We are part of an international cooperation. The challenges are global, but the solutions have to be found locally – from technological breakthroughs to new legislation", said Lena Sommestad.
"We have to lead the environmental work within the European Union and at the same time keep our own house in order. Transport issues are our key issues. We have to meet the commitments under the Kyoto Protocol – that's why this conference is so important."
She admitted that the Swedish Government has not acted consistently when it comes to vehicles and fuels: "The fact that the public and industry are not fully aware of current regulations is a great problem. This is something we have to act on!"
SET THE BALL ROLLING
Most of all, the conference offered an opportunity for the exchange of experience about everything from vehicles and fuels to transport and new environmentally friendly technology.
"These few days have been highly instructive. We must get the ball rolling faster towards environmentally sustainable transport", concluded Gustaf Landahl from the Stockholm Environment and Health administration and European coordinator of Trendsetter. On behalf of the organisers, he hoped to return with a new conference in a few years' time.
MORE INFORMATION:
www.cleanvehicles.net Documentation covering all PowerPoint presentations made at the conference can be ordered from hans.pohl@carlbro.se
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