Latest news with #Greenlogue
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Arabian Post
EU Tracks Fast‑Charge Revamp for Heavy‑Duty Fleet
Greenlogue/AP The European Commission has initiated a research and innovation project to develop megawatt charging systems tailored for heavy‑duty transport across the EU. Aimed at aligning with the Green Deal's objective of 90 % CO₂ reductions for HGVs by 2040, the project supports pilot hubs combining ultra-high-power charging with operational road‑haul scenarios on major corridors. The initiative includes constructing two demonstration sites—one in the Nordic region and another in Benelux—to test multipoint charging capabilities and frameworks for large-scale deployment by harnessing technical, economic and social learnings from real usage. Heavy goods vehicles account for around 25–40 % of road transport CO₂ emissions in Europe, underscoring the urgent need for zero‑emission solutions. Conventional fast chargers capped at 350 kW fall short for long-haul operations, given the battery sizes of 600–1,000 kWh in e-trucks. MCS standards, developed by CharIN, specify power delivery up to 3 000 A at 1 250 V DC, enabling rapid top-ups during driver rest or loading periods. ADVERTISEMENT A historical milestone came in July 2024 when the NEFTON consortium, led by TUM and MAN Truck & Bus, demonstrated a public charging system delivering over 1 000 kW—enough to provide roughly 400 km range in about 30 minutes. Research further indicated that fast‑charge stations every 50 km along main highways could remove downtime entirely. The trials also explored capacities up to 3 MW and bi-directional charging to enable Truck‑to‑Grid services in future scenarios. Meanwhile, Germany's HoLa pilot project along the A2 motorway deployed high-power CCS stations before upgrading them to MCS in autumn 2023. Led by Fraunhofer ISI and backed by the VDA and BMVI, this cluster tested two high-power chargers at each of four locations. The focus was on technical robustness and logistics integration—key steps toward national roll-out. Industry players are scaling up. ABB E‑mobility and Scania initiated a joint testing phase for pilot MCS chargers in mid‑2024, marking a 'global milestone' in HGV fast‑charging. Siemens also tested its SICHARGE system, delivering a 1 MW charging session in prototyping. Moreover, Kempower introduced a commercial MCS product capable of 1.2 MW, featuring both CCS and MCS compatibility for dynamic power sharing. Successes are appearing across Europe: Iberdrola and bp pulse are launching southern Europe's first public MCS charger in Murcia, Spain, to service logistics hubs along the Mediterranean corridor. This installation is expected to charge a truck from 10 % to 80 % in about 30 minutes, adding up to 400 km of range within the legally mandated forty‑five‑minute rest period. With consumer vehicle fast‑charging thresholds insufficient for HGVs, MCS marks a paradigm shift. At the technical level, it necessitates new connectors, grid stability considerations, and thermal management. CharIN's connector standardisation ensures interoperability, while pilot deployments indicate grid buffering, bidirectional flow, and station placement must all integrate with existing energy systems. ADVERTISEMENT Economic modelling underlines that reduced mission-critical delays, smaller battery sizes, and increased vehicle uptime can offset capital costs. Freight operators engaged in NEFTON and HoLa report that electrification becomes economically viable when charging infrastructure is synced with real freight cycles. Logistics firms working with MACBETH in pilot hubs will feed data into regulatory and investment roadmaps. Policy frameworks remain critical. The EU's CO₂ targets—43 % by 2030, 90 % by 2040—mandate alignment with infrastructure readiness. While the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation supports public chargers, heavy-duty corridors demand higher minimum power thresholds for compliance. Stakeholders insist on synchronisation between emissions mandates and charging build-out if penalties are to be avoided. The MCS deployment strategy includes siting chargers every 50 km, serving both corridor and hub flows. Trials show that chargers up to 3 MW, connected with buffer systems or second-life batteries, can mitigate peak demand and grid upgrade costs. For instance, the Swiss Megacharger project uses containerised solutions with 1 800 kWh storage to soften load spikes and enable standalone operation. The MACBETH project emphasises user‑centric design: hubs with multiple MCS ports, software for reservation and load balancing, and dynamic pricing models to integrate fleet and public charging demands. Its dual‑site pilot aims to demonstrate readiness at TRL 8 and inform future EU deployments along TEN‑T routes. Challenges persist: grid upgrades, harmonised standards, and capital outlay require coordinated public‑private partnerships. Container solutions and bidirectional flows offer mitigation options, but telecom-level coordination—between energy providers, grid operators, OEMs and transport firms—will determine success. Momentum is gaining: 2024–25 has seen Germany's NEFTON public launch, commercial MCS sales from Kempower, ABB tests, Iberdrola's Iberian rollout, and MACBETH's Europe‑wide pilot framework. Over the next year, projects will produce actionable data on reliability, costs, user behaviour, and energy impacts. As Europe races to decarbonise freight by 2040, megawatt charging infrastructure may prove the linchpin. Transitioning from diesel‑dominated logistics to electric long‑haul fleets hinges not merely on EV production but on aligning charging ecosystems with operational realities. The current wave of pilots and commercial readiness suggests that within a few short years, HGV fast‑charging may shift from novelty to norm.
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Commits to Comprehensive Ban on Single-Use Plastics by 2026
Greenlogue/AP The United Arab Emirates will enforce a nationwide prohibition on the import, production, and trade of single-use plastic products starting 1 January 2026, as announced by Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. This measure builds upon earlier initiatives, including the 2024 ban on plastic bags, and reflects the country's commitment to environmental sustainability. The upcoming ban will encompass a range of single-use plastic items, such as cups, lids, cutlery, food containers, and plates. These items are known contributors to environmental pollution, particularly in marine ecosystems. The decision aligns with the UAE's broader environmental objectives, including its Circular Economy Policy, which aims to minimise waste and promote resource efficiency across various sectors. ADVERTISEMENT Dr Al Dahak emphasised the importance of collective action, urging citizens and businesses to adopt sustainable practices. She highlighted initiatives like the Clean Rivers programme by Erth Zayed Philanthropies, which addresses plastic pollution in waterways through community engagement and innovative solutions. The phased approach to the ban began in 2024 with restrictions on plastic bags, followed by a 2025 ban on items such as plastic stirrers and Styrofoam containers. The final phase in 2026 will complete the transition towards eliminating single-use plastics. Enforcement measures include fines for non-compliance, starting at AED 200 and escalating for repeated violations. Certain exemptions will apply, such as for products intended for export or specific uses like packaging for fresh produce.
Arabian Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Alt Carbon Secures $12M to Advance CO₂ Removal in South Asia
Greenlogue/AP Alt Carbon, a climate-tech startup based in Bengaluru, has raised $12 million in seed funding to expand its carbon dioxide removal operations across South Asia. The funding round was led by Lachy Groom, co-founder of robotics AI firm Physical Intelligence, with participation from existing investors including Shastra VC and ACT Capital Foundation. Founded by siblings Shrey and Sparsh Agarwal, Alt Carbon employs enhanced rock weathering to sequester atmospheric CO₂. This process involves spreading finely ground basalt rock dust over agricultural fields, where it reacts with rainwater to form stable bicarbonate ions, effectively locking away carbon for millennia. The method also enriches soil fertility and boosts crop yields, offering a dual benefit to farmers. ADVERTISEMENT The company's journey began in May 2020 when the Agarwal siblings returned to their family's tea estate in Darjeeling, which was facing bankruptcy. This visit inspired the inception of Alt Carbon, officially launched in late 2023. The startup initiated its pilot project on 500 acres of the family estate, later expanding to rice and bamboo farms in North Bengal. Alt Carbon now aims to scale its operations to 500,000 hectares, with a target of removing 5 million metric tons of CO₂ by 2030. Alt Carbon's approach has garnered international attention. The company secured a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to scale ERW, marking a significant collaboration between Japanese and Indian entities in climate action. Additionally, Alt Carbon signed an offtake agreement with MOL Group to supply 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits, the first such deal between a Japanese and Indian company in the ERW sector. The startup's credibility was further bolstered when it became the first India-headquartered company selected by Frontier, a $1 billion advance market commitment backed by Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and McKinsey, to scale permanent carbon removal. Alt Carbon also received an offtake agreement from the South Pole and Mitsubishi-led NextGen buyer's coalition, underscoring its position in the global CDR landscape. To support its ambitious goals, Alt Carbon has strengthened its leadership team. Yashovardhan Bhagat, former co-founder of ed-tech platform Seekho, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer to oversee the scaling of operations across India. Adithya Venkatesan, with experience at Gojek, Meesho, and Last9, will lead the in-house Climate Studio, while Dr. Sourav Ganguly, a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, will head the science and modelling team.
