Thanks to Trendsetter five biogas refuse collection trucks have been in use by municipal waste department contractors in Stockholm since 2003. They are all of the make Scania P114.
On the whole, the drivers are satisfied and pleased with the environmental initiative.
The vehicles covered on average 11,000 km each during 2003 with a biogas consumption of approx. 1m3/km. This can be compared to a diesel consumption of approx. 0.75l/km for similar vehicles. The high fuel consumption can be explained by the Ottomotor's poor efficiency at low loads. The biogas waste collection vehicles are reliable and the biogas fuelling has not caused any stoppages or technical problems. Driver comfort and driving characteristics are comparable. According to the drivers, biogas refuse collection trucks cause less noise and smell and less dangerous emissions. Acceleration and range, however, are inferior.
More information: eva.sunnerstedt@miljo.stockholm.se, +46 8 508 28 913.
School project promotes active life
Since 2002, pupils and teachers at four schools in Graz take part in a Trendsetter project promoting an active life with more walking and biking in a safe traffic system. By using games, exhibitions, activity diaries, interviews with adults, and image campaigns for biking, the project aims at helping children, parents and teachers to become aware of alternatives to going by car. The experiences from Graz will now be exported to as many Austrian schools as possible.
More information: Gerhard Ablasser, Stadt Graz, +43 316 8724203, gerhard.ablasser@stadt.graz.at
Results of the first Civitas Technical Workshop
Due to the diversity of national regulations, definitions and standards, the European level needs to take the lead when it comes to fostering a common and sizeable market for clean vehicles and fuels. These were conclusions from the first Civitas Technical Workshop held in Stockholm on 4 June. The 23 participants produced a body of instances to be submitted to the European Commission. At the same time, the attending cities saw a potentially relevant role for Civitas in spearheading a liaison with industry and demonstrating that there is a large unexploited market for clean vehicles and fuels.
More information: Mario Gualdi, +39 06 321 26 55, mgualdi@isis-it.com
Introduction of biodiesel cars in Graz' taxi fleet has been delayed due to filter problems. Now Graz University will study the problem.
Graz studies filter problems
Technical experts at the University of Graz are now studying filter problems in passenger cars with biodiesel fuelling. After driving about 2,000 km the vehicles usually stop due to plugged filters. The City of Graz wants to encourage more clean vehicles on the streets by for example converting city taxis to run on biodiesel and has therefore initiated the field studies.
More information: Gerhard Ablasser, Stadt Graz, +43 316 8724203, gerhard.ablasser@stadt.graz.at
Congestion charging starts in Stockholm 2005 - Clean vehicles exempted
Stockholm is planning to test congestion charging during 2005. This is expected to reduce traffic by 10–15 percent on the most congested roads, increase mobility and improve the environment. The charges will be higher during rush hour traffic. Charges will not apply during evenings, nights, Saturdays or holidays. At the same time, improvements are planned for public transport, park&ride schemes and road systems. Cars fuelled by ethanol E85, natural gas, biogas, electricity, propane LPG or electric hybrid cars are expected to be exempt from the charges. An environmental driver passing the border both to and from work during the worst rush hour can therefore save SEK 800/month in charges. People reaching the maximum charge of SEK 60/day will save more than SEK 1200/month by driving a clean vehicle (1€ approx. 9.20 SEK).
More information: kai.honkonen@stadshuset.stockholm.se +46 8 508 29 965.
Efficient Public Transport - Workshop in Lille 19 October
Successful examples of systematic integration of different transport modes, cooperation between different transport operators on advanced ticketing systems and integrated fares will be presented on a Workshop in Lille 19 October. All are important elements in strategies for attractive and efficient public transport systems.
The workshop is organized by the Euroepan project Trendsetter and Lille Municipality.
Participation is free of charge upon prior registration.
More information, programme and registration at: www.trendsetter-europe.org or Jorge Vieira da Silva, MTA – Marketing & Technologies Avancees, +33 1 44 51 74 00, trendsetter@mta.fr
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