freight

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a flat-style infographic titled “Fueling the Future: Electric vs Hydrogen Trucks,” showing an electric truck with a green check mark and a hydrogen truck with a red prohibition symbol.

France & Germany’s Economic Councils Endorse Electric Trucks Over Hydrogen

The best news in freight decarbonization this year didn’t come from a truck manufacturer, a startup accelerator, or a press release festooned with EU flags. It came from a bunch of European economists. That’s right—after years of letting hydrogen hype men and fossil PR firms monopolize the freight emissions debate, … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of an Ikea branded step van labeled "H2" in whirlpool in the ocean

Another Day, Another Hydrogen Transportation Failure, This Time Quantron & IKEA

A year ago, while assessing various organizations that had reached the terminus of the Odyssey of the Hydrogen Fleet six act tragicomedy, I pointed out the awful, horrible, very bad, no-good decision the Austrian branch of IKEA had made to buy Quantron hydrogen step van delivery trucks. Since then, I’ve … [continued]

ChatGPT generated create a panoramic image of climate business professionals sharing a meal and talking in Brussels

Brussels Conversations: Port Decarbonization, Economics Of Climate Refugees, Logistics Strategy & More

When people found out I was going to be in Brussels, invitations for lunch and dinner came out of the woodwork, and people started booking train rides, including two from London. Lengthy conversations on different decarbonization challenges ensued, around the main event itself, the book launch of the second edition … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a cargo trike on an urban street with the rider in front and a big metal box on the back

Last Mile Delivery Is Standardizing With Two Cubic Meter Roro Boxes For E-Cargo Trikes

In the past year I’ve been observing a trend that’s on at least a couple of continents. Delivery trikes now come without boxes of their own. The boxes are separate and they get packed in distribution centers with the intent of being delivered to a pickup point for an electric … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of an electric European semi trailer covered in circuitry driving on a highway through the Alps

EU Wisely Stiffens Road Freight & Passenger Emissions Guidance

A month ago, I spent some time assembling statistics on major geographies’ split of domestic freight tonnage across different modes: road, rail, and water. I was surprised to find that road freight was so much more dominant in Europe than rail compared to other major geographies. I think of Europe … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a multi-modal transport corridor featuring a highway with electric trucks, a railroad with freight trains, and a canal with electric ships

Domestic Freight Mode Decarbonization Economics Will Vary Between Major Geographies

Every major geography will be electrifying virtually all domestic freight shipping in the coming two to three decades. However, the starting conditions matter between India, Europe, China, and the United States. This assessment sprang out of a bit of news and discussion related to it today. China’s Windrose Technology and … [continued]