Latest news with #TEN-T
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says €456-million Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway will be ‘transformative' for the city
It's hoped that the new road will reduce peak-hour congestion and travel delays, improve road safety and make access to the port easier. BAM will build the 11km of motorway from the Bloomfield Interchange to Barnahely with construction to start shortly. The new M28 is expected to be completed by summer 2028. The €206 million construction contract is part of the total project budget of €456 million. The current road, the N28, is predominantly a single carriageway and has struggled to cope with the volume of traffic heading to and from the deep-water port at Ringaskiddy, which is also home to a host of major pharmaceutical and healthcare companies such as Pfizer and DePuy. At the contract signing at Cork County Hall, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 'I am delighted to be here for the signing of the M28 Main Construction Contract. This is an important milestone for Cork and Ireland with the construction of this transformative road upgrade now underway. The M28 is a key component of Project Ireland 2040. It will strengthen Ireland's integration with European ports and trade corridors, supporting national competitiveness and connectivity.' The Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moria Murrell, said: 'This project is a critical component of the Core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the EU's policy framework for linking ports and major logistics hubs. The M28 will support sustainable growth, create jobs, and enhance connectivity to our vital maritime and commercial centres.' The Mayor of County Cork, Councillor Joe Carroll, also welcomed the signing, saying: 'Today's contract signing marks a major step forward in delivering essential infrastructure that will benefit not just Cork, but Ireland's broader economic and transport ambitions.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ACEA and Eurelectric urge immediate grid upgrades for heavy-duty EV transition
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Eurelectric have issued a joint call for urgent reform and investment in Europe's electricity grids to support the deployment of charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The appeal comes as the EU moves forward with plans to cut carbon emissions in the transport sector, requiring a substantial increase in the number of zero-emission trucks and buses by 2030. Under current CO₂ reduction targets, up to one-third of new HDV registrations are expected to need to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the end of the decade. However, the ACEA and Eurelectric warn that existing grid limitations, prolonged permitting timelines, and regulatory challenges are delaying the rollout of suitable charging infrastructure, particularly along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and in key urban and depot areas. In a newly released position paper, the two organisations stress the importance of involving distribution system operators (DSOs) in grid planning. They call for a forward-looking, demand-driven approach to grid investments that anticipates the requirements of a growing fleet of zero-emission HDVs. The document outlines several policy recommendations. These include improved transparency via standardised grid capacity maps, simplified permitting procedures, anticipatory investments, and more flexible connection options. It also highlights the necessity of enabling megawatt charging systems (MCS) and aligning electricity pricing structures to maintain the competitiveness of electric HDVs. ACEA and Eurelectric call on EU institutions and member states to provide the essential infrastructure to support a decarbonised future for road transport in Europe. ACEA chief commercial vehicle officer Thomas Fabian said: 'A fit-for-purpose charging network for heavy-duty vehicles is essential to decarbonise road transport. But without a future-ready grid, this transition simply will not happen. 'We need the enabling conditions to be put in place to ensure an effective, efficient transition to zero-emission road transport across our continent.' ACEA represents 16 major Europe-based vehicle manufacturers, including BMW Group, Ferrari, Ford of Europe and Honda Motor Europe, among others. "ACEA and Eurelectric urge immediate grid upgrades for heavy-duty EV transition" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ACEA and Eurelectric urge immediate grid upgrades for heavy-duty EV transition
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Eurelectric have issued a joint call for urgent reform and investment in Europe's electricity grids to support the deployment of charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The appeal comes as the EU moves forward with plans to cut carbon emissions in the transport sector, requiring a substantial increase in the number of zero-emission trucks and buses by 2030. Under current CO₂ reduction targets, up to one-third of new HDV registrations are expected to need to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the end of the decade. However, the ACEA and Eurelectric warn that existing grid limitations, prolonged permitting timelines, and regulatory challenges are delaying the rollout of suitable charging infrastructure, particularly along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and in key urban and depot areas. In a newly released position paper, the two organisations stress the importance of involving distribution system operators (DSOs) in grid planning. They call for a forward-looking, demand-driven approach to grid investments that anticipates the requirements of a growing fleet of zero-emission HDVs. The document outlines several policy recommendations. These include improved transparency via standardised grid capacity maps, simplified permitting procedures, anticipatory investments, and more flexible connection options. It also highlights the necessity of enabling megawatt charging systems (MCS) and aligning electricity pricing structures to maintain the competitiveness of electric HDVs. ACEA and Eurelectric call on EU institutions and member states to provide the essential infrastructure to support a decarbonised future for road transport in Europe. ACEA chief commercial vehicle officer Thomas Fabian said: 'A fit-for-purpose charging network for heavy-duty vehicles is essential to decarbonise road transport. But without a future-ready grid, this transition simply will not happen. 'We need the enabling conditions to be put in place to ensure an effective, efficient transition to zero-emission road transport across our continent.' ACEA represents 16 major Europe-based vehicle manufacturers, including BMW Group, Ferrari, Ford of Europe and Honda Motor Europe, among others. "ACEA and Eurelectric urge immediate grid upgrades for heavy-duty EV transition" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Independent
26-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Plans to link Europe by huge new train network spanning 20,000km and 39 stations unveiled
Plans to connect 39 European stations by a high-speed rail network have been revealed – with lines linking the UK, Ukraine, Turkey and Portugal. Starline, a blueprint by Copenhagen -based think tank 21st Europe, proposes a new European high-speed rail network to 'make the continent feel whole again' by 2040. Unveiled at 21st Europe's first summit in Barcelona, Starline plans involve 22,000km of high-speed rail, connecting 39 stations across the continent at estimated speeds between 186 and 249 miles per hour. Designed in collaboration with studio Bakken & Bæck, the blue trains will mimic the European flag with stars along the sides of carriages. Train interiors will include quiet zones for focus, comfortable seating, family-friendly and cafe areas. The network would be built on existing infrastructure with a fleet of trains crossing borders on five lines that run on a single timetable as 'one seamless system'. Connecting cities like Kyiv, Bucharest, and Sofia into a seamless continental network, Starline aims to put Eastern Europe on the high-speed map. The focus is on linking countries rather than developing domestic rail with at least one station in every country on the network not 'limited by political borders'. A proposed train ride from Helsinki to Berlin with Starline would take 'just over five hours' while trips from Milan to Munich transform 'into a high-frequency link between major economic centres'. Under the EU's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) plans, 424 major cities will be connected to ports, airports and rail. According to the think tank, 'cross-border travel remains fragmented, slow, and expensive' and TEN-T lacks 'speed and ambition'. It says the new European rail network could ease demand on low-cost airlines for affordable, and more sustainable, journeys between capitals. Plans to introduce the high-speed service are the 'best chance' for Europe to meet its 2050 net-zero goals, cutting short-haul flights by up to 80 per cent, said the proposal. The publicly funded, privately operated system, would be powered by renewable sources rather than relying on national grids and overseen by a new European Rail Authority (ERA). 'Railways were always about more than transport,' said Kaave Pour, founder of 21st Europe. 'They shaped economies, cultures, even national identities. Today, we need them to do the same for Europe.' 'A truly integrated rail system is no longer just a matter of convenience; it's a strategic necessity for Europe's resilience in the 21st century,' said 21st Europe. It estimates that the high-speed rail system would create millions of jobs in infrastructure, engineering, and services, as in China where each new high-speed rail line contributed up to 7.2 per cent of urban GDP growth. The think tank added: 'Starline stations will be active public spaces, not just transit points, incorporating cultural institutions, public squares, and venues that make them destinations in their own right'. A unified ticketing system on an open platform plans to centralise sales with AI-driven security systems at stations. Ticket prices 'should be significantly lower' than short-haul flights and existing rail services said 21st Europe. Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: "Starline: where to start? I love the vision: 'Speed, sustainability, and simplicity, making high-speed rail the most natural way to move across the continent.' 'And we desperately need a complete rethink of European travel—where tickets, timetables, stations, and trains work as one seamless system'. 'At the moment, a Manchester-Malaga ticket is a few clicks, £100 and three hours away by air. But just planning the rail trip will take three hours, and the ticket is likely to be five times as much. 'But is there any prospect of European coherence happening within, say, a decade? None that I can see. The UK, after all, chose to walk away from the EU. 'Just one line in the prospectus stands out as summing up the problem: 'Starline should operate under a single set of technical, safety, and labour regulations, ensuring that cross-border travel is as seamless as domestic rail.' Good luck with that.' Slow travel experts at Hidden Europe, also questioned the proposed new rail lines across Europe. They said: 'Our faith in Starline was slightly undermined when we saw the Starline poster with a new rail tunnel under the Adriatic and the Apennines from Zagreb to Rome.'
