Search Results for: cars

BY ALAN OSBORN, in London

AFTER years of uncertainty, a timetable has now been fixed for the elimination of the air conditioning gas HFC 134a from cars sold in the European Union (EU). No, this won’t mean an end to air conditioned autos in Europe any more: what the deal really means is that auto and component makers have been given a generously long time to come up with a new refrigerating agent that doesn’t affect the climate by emitting fluorinating greenhouse gases.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE GREEK government has been censured by the European Parliament for its seizing of cars over the non-payment of road taxes and other administrative offences. Noting "a substantial number" of these cars had subsequently been auctioned MEPs said this was "incompatible with the principles of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights" and "not justified by any overriding requirements of enforcement and prevention".…

BY MATTHEW BRACE, in Sydney

FOR devotees of Captain Kirk, Dr Spock and the original Star Trek crew, the thrilling world of nanotechnology could sound vaguely familiar. It offers the 21st century a swathe of new products and services, from dirt-repelling cars to ‘thinking’ materials that can change colour automatically.…

BY DEIRDRE MASON

THE EUROPEAN Commission is getting tougher on vehicle emissions from the public sector. A proposed new directive, announced on December 21 last year, puts public-sector green vehicle procurement in the spotlight. It was announced on the same day as tighter new emissions levels for petrol and diesel-driven cars and light vans under the Euro V requirements.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

CATALYTIC converters, hydrogen fuel cells and wind power are well known allies in the battle against global warming, but now British Antarctic Survey and University of Hull researchers have discovered a new and unlikely saviour: Antarctic krill. These tiny shrimp-like crustaceans are a crucial meal for whales, penguins and seals, but these British scientists think they may also help sustain the planet, transferring carbon into the ocean equalling the annual emissions of 35 million cars.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A MINUTE carbon dioxide sensor that ‘listens’ to air quality and alerts ventilation systems as soon as oxygen levels are too low, is being developed by a Scandinavian research team, which has received support from the European Union (EU).…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE PRESIDENT of Canadian auto manufacturer supplies giant Magna International has welcomed the European Commission’s approval of its purchase of German roof system manufacturer CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH (CTS) from sports car maker Porsche. Brussels has imposed no conditions on the deal, which it concluded would not harm competition in the European Union (EU).…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Commission today (Feb 23) launched a multi-pronged initiative to promote intelligent car technologies that aim at creating a reliable and popular operational testing system. European Union (EU) information society Commissioner Viviane Reding unveiled the plan at an ‘intelligent car demonstration event’, at the Brussels Autoworld Museum, in the Belgian capital.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

NEW tough fuel and road transport pollution standards have been proposed for the European Union (EU) by the European Commission, removing a loophole enabling sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to be covered by looser emission limits currently allowed for commercial vans.…

BY ALAN OSBORN

Greece may face legal action at the hands of the European Commission unless it ends the practice of confiscating cars for non-payment of taxes and other violations. Outraged Greek motorists have lodged a petition with the European Parliament which has resolved that the confiscations are "contrary to the right of property and freedom of movement" and calls on the Commission to act "without delay."…