Sustainability News, Analysis and Market Intelligence
SearchTrack sustainability news alongside market analysis, provider activity, and connected mobility intelligence from PAVE Insight.
Recycled plastic void formers reduce concrete use on Melbourne road project
Robovoid recycled-plastic formers used in retaining walls on Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road Completion project have cut concrete use by 29%, steel reinforcement by 10% and associated emissions by 15%. The project is part of North East Link.
Allianz reviews fleet needs before replacing vehicles with EVs
Allianz assesses future business requirements and vehicle utilisation before replacing fleet vehicles, matching employees to a vehicle, allowance or expense arrangement. The insurer says fleet optimisation can complement electrification by avoiding unnecessary replacements and emissions.
50 organisations urge governments to implement ETS2 and use revenues to support households
A coalition of 50 companies, associations and civil society groups is urging EU governments to complete ETS2 transposition and use early revenues to help vulnerable households transition to clean energy. Sweden has begun using ETS2 revenues to support people switching to electric vehicles.
SolarLite challenge offers free active road studs to three UK councils
SolarLite and LCRIG are inviting UK councils to nominate road-safety sites for free solar-powered active studs. Three schemes will be installed in early 2027 and monitored for effects on safety, energy use and costs.
Propane autogas programme offers fleet payments and refuelling-site support
The Propane Autogas Research Program offers qualifying commercial fleets $7,500 per eligible vehicle and up to $10,000 for refuelling-site preparation. Participants must report quarterly fuel, maintenance, reliability, downtime and performance data.
Grid bottlenecks threaten port and airport electrification in Europe
Ports and airports face long waits for grid connections as EU rules require shore power and electricity for aircraft at stands. The article proposes better network planning, on-site renewables and storage, smart charging and flexible connection agreements.
Toyota to power 40 HiLuxes with renewable diesel at AFL parade
Toyota Australia will run 40 HiLuxes on HVO100 renewable diesel at the 2026 AFL Grand Final Parade in Melbourne. The company says the fuel could cut lifecycle emissions from compatible diesel vehicles already in service and plans further testing.
GM and Cirba Solutions complete closed-loop EV battery recycling pilot
GM and Cirba Solutions have completed a pilot that recovered nickel, cobalt and manganese from end-of-life GM EV batteries and used them to produce cathode material and new cells. The recycled-content cells now power EVs assembled in the US.
Europe faces €203m daily diesel premium, T&E study finds
Transport & Environment estimates geopolitical disruption is costing Europe €203 million a day in higher diesel prices. Drivers pay about €19 more per fill-up and trucks €236 more weekly, strengthening calls for scrappage schemes and faster electrification.
Fortescue plans first Australian Formula E team
Mining company Fortescue plans to enter Formula E with a team acquired from Penske and a Jaguar-powered electric race car. Its engineers will use the championship to develop battery, software and hardware technologies for mining and other applications.
Blacktown targets fleet productivity as service demand grows
Blacktown City Council plans to handle rising service demand through higher vehicle utilisation, asset sharing and telematics-led planning rather than automatic fleet expansion. Electric waste trucks could also enable longer operating hours and reduce the need for additional vehicles.
SABOA conference highlights funding and infrastructure barriers to bus electrification
South Africa’s bus industry used the SABOA 2026 conference to discuss electrification, funding reform, infrastructure, cross-border regulation and digital transformation. Johannesburg is assessing bus-fleet electrification, while operators highlighted financing, workforce and safety challenges.
Victoria unveils 10-year rail freight plan
Victoria has released a 2026–2036 rail freight plan to increase network capacity, resilience and efficiency. The government says investment will support regional freight, reduce road congestion and emissions, and enable a new inland freight terminal at Dandenong South.
Real-world PHEV emissions depend on charging and fleet management
Analysis of European and Australian evidence finds plug-in hybrid emissions and fuel use vary widely with charging access, vehicle controls and driver behaviour. It calls for easier electricity reimbursement, right-sized batteries and monitoring of real-world energy use in fleets.
Lithium-ion battery fires expose growing risks for waste facilities
Lithium-ion batteries discarded in general waste are causing fires at recycling and transfer facilities. The article highlights 2026 UK guidance on detection, segregation and storage, alongside US evidence of fires across the battery supply chain.
Diesel price surge improves payback case for renewable natural gas trucks
An updated Energy Vision report says higher diesel prices have shortened the payback period for renewable natural gas Class 8 trucks to 1.3–2.8 years, although limited vehicle supply and fuelling infrastructure could constrain fleet adoption.
European Mobility Week 2026 launches with intergenerational focus
The European Commission’s European Mobility Week runs from 16 to 22 September, with more than 2,500 towns and cities promoting accessible, inclusive and sustainable urban transport through car-free days, educational activities and new mobility measures.
ZF’s TraXon Hybrid wins Truck Innovation Award 2027
ZF’s TraXon Hybrid heavy-duty transmission has won the Truck Innovation Award 2027. VECTO simulations indicate potential CO₂ reductions of up to 47% in defined long-haul conditions, while the plug-in hybrid system preserves operational flexibility.
Study assesses HVO100 diesel performance and fleet transition considerations
A 2026 engine study found HVO100 broadly comparable with B7 diesel, with slightly lower fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions in most tested conditions. The article outlines EN 15940 compliance, feedstock sustainability, supply constraints and fleet transition requirements.
ZF launches lower-emission TRW braking products for aftermarket
ZF is showcasing TRW DTEC brake pads and discs that achieved up to 80% lower PM10 emissions in brake dynamometer tests, alongside a brake fluid containing 60% post-consumer recycled material. The products are designed to help workshops and fleets prepare for Euro 7.
Study links higher EU transport electrification to lower oil import dependence
A new study finds that stronger road-electrification policies could cut the EU’s transport import dependency by nearly a quarter by 2040, while reducing reliance on scarce imported alternative fuels. It urges ambitious car CO₂ standards and greater use of renewable electricity.
Toyota approves HVO100 for diesel HiLux models from 2015
Toyota Australia says diesel HiLux models built from mid-2015 can use 100% hydrotreated vegetable oil. The move could help Australian fleets reduce lifecycle emissions without replacing existing vehicles, particularly in regional and remote operations.
Real-world plug-in hybrid emissions reach six times official test levels
European Environment Agency data analysed by T&E shows plug-in hybrids registered in 2024 emitted 145g of CO₂ per km in real-world driving, versus 24g/km in official tests. The findings come as carmakers oppose planned EU rules to tighten emissions calculations.
NRMA fleet team balances EV transition, data and roadside availability
NRMA manages about 450 vehicles and operational assets across Australia, introducing EV-first procurement while addressing charging, payload and uptime challenges. The team is also consolidating fleet data and exploring telematics and AI to improve reporting and vehicle performance analysis.
European consortium launches HiPower 5.0 power-electronics project
A 45-partner European consortium is developing GaN and SiC power electronics for electric mobility. HiPower 5.0 targets more efficient, compact and durable inverters, predictive health management and lifecycle sustainability across automotive and maritime applications.
APC report outlines UK route to rare-earth resilience in electric motors
An Advanced Propulsion Centre report says UK recycling of end-of-life EV motors and wind-turbine magnets could meet up to 25% of automotive permanent-magnet demand by 2035, while rare-earth-free motor technologies could reduce supply-chain dependence on China.
IRU and T&E call for EU dialogue on heavy-duty vehicle decarbonisation
IRU and T&E have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to launch a strategic dialogue on heavy-duty vehicle decarbonisation. Their call comes ahead of reviews of EU charging infrastructure and CO₂ standards rules, amid concerns over costs, grid capacity and zero-emission vehicle uptake.
VINCI launches second cohort of environmental solutions accelerator
VINCI has launched the second cohort of Scale up!, a year-long programme designed to scale environmental solutions across its businesses and territories. Projects address decarbonisation, climate adaptation, materials, reuse, water and biodiversity.
BYD launches residential solar kits through 233 Brazilian dealerships
BYD is selling 4.8 kWp residential solar kits through 233 dealerships in Brazil for about BRL19,000. The packages include installation, grid certification and insurance, and can be financed alongside the Song Pro Flex plug-in hybrid.
EU repairability rules raise new compliance demands for connected insurance devices
EU ecodesign and battery rules are extending repairability, recyclability and product-information requirements to connected insurance hardware. IMS outlines procurement checks and says its Wedge uses hand-replaceable batteries and recyclable materials.
Abu Dhabi launches 30 solar-powered bus shelters
Abu Dhabi Mobility has installed 30 solar-powered bus shelters across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Zayed City. The shelters provide lighting and digital passenger information panels, supporting the emirate’s smart and sustainable transport infrastructure goals.
Modelling highlights V2G’s potential to meet Australia’s storage needs
Updated S-curve modelling argues that bi-directionally charged EVs could provide a major share of Australia’s future grid storage, potentially delivering more storage per public dollar than standalone home batteries or Snowy 2.0.
Parkes council cuts fleet idling by 250 hours a week
Parkes Shire Council used telematics data to cut weekly fleet idling from about 750 to 500 hours, saving an estimated 1,000 litres of fuel and $2,200. The initiative also reduces engine hours and supports maintenance, utilisation and replacement planning.
Cranfield develops digital-twin framework for transport decarbonisation
Researchers at Cranfield University have adapted manufacturing standard ISO 23247 into a transport digital-twin framework. The reference architecture integrates vehicles, infrastructure, energy, data exchange and emissions monitoring, with an air-to-road freight decarbonisation case study involving East Midlands Airport and DHL.
Wielton EVO trailer entered for International Trailer Award 2026
Wielton has entered its EVO box trailer for the International Trailer Award 2026, ahead of IAA Transportation in Hanover. The three-axle trailer uses recycled PET bottle cores in its walls, reducing weight while improving deformation resistance and supporting lower fuel use and emissions.
2026 Fleet Sustainability Award finalists showcase data-led EV transitions
Allianz, City of Parramatta and Blacktown City Council are finalists for the 2026 Fleet Sustainability Award. Their initiatives combine EV adoption, telematics, utilisation data, charging infrastructure and driver engagement to cut emissions and improve fleet efficiency.
Geotab analysis identifies $105m annual fleet-idling saving opportunity
Geotab analysed data from 2.6 million connected commercial vehicles in the US and Canada, estimating fleets could save 24.2 million gallons of fuel and $105m annually by targeting excessive idling among the worst-performing 10% of vehicles.
CATL achieves operational carbon neutrality and targets value chain by 2035
CATL says it achieved carbon neutrality in core operations by the end of 2025, using 100% zero-carbon electricity. It will target value-chain neutrality by 2035 through supplier collaboration, carbon-data traceability, greener procurement, lower-carbon logistics and battery recycling.
Nuremberg deploys electric equipment for zero-emission demolition
Nuremberg has commissioned Bavaria’s first public tender for a zero-emission demolition project. Electric Volvo construction equipment and an FM Electric hook-lift truck are operating using standard construction-site electricity, demonstrating a replicable municipal model for lower-emission worksites.
T&E calls for permanent EU tax on oil companies’ excess profits
Transport & Environment says eight oil companies generated €7.5bn in EU excess profits in the first half of 2026. It is calling for a permanent windfall tax, with revenues used to reduce drivers’ exposure to volatile fossil-fuel prices and support electric driving.
King Fio expands electric drayage fleet despite cost and charging hurdles
King Fio Trucking founder Jennie Abarca is expanding her Long Beach drayage fleet with battery-electric heavy trucks, despite higher costs and charging challenges. Her 35-truck fleet includes 11 electric vehicles, with 21 Teslas on order, and she aims to eliminate diesel trucks by 2030.
TNO updates Dutch construction-machinery NOx calculation methods
TNO has developed updated methods for calculating NOx emissions from mobile construction machinery, based on measurements from more than 500 machines. The revised AUB and U methods are closer to real-world emissions and will be incorporated into the Dutch AERIUS permitting tool.
HVO-100 cuts reported CO2 emissions for diesel equipment and trucks
HVO-100 can replace diesel in many existing engines used in construction, infrastructure and logistics. The article explains its standards, compatibility and reporting requirements, citing Dutch emission factors that indicate an 86% lower lifecycle CO2 figure when sustainable sourcing is documented.
Merchants Fleet reports 290 million managed EV miles in 2025
Merchants Fleet’s 2025 Impact Report says its managed electric vehicles travelled more than 290 million miles, avoiding 117.5 million kilograms of tailpipe CO2. It highlights targeted fleet electrification, charging planning, incentives and total-cost-of-ownership analysis as support for continued EV deployment.
ZF expands technology-open commercial-vehicle decarbonisation portfolio
ZF is presenting a technology-open commercial-vehicle decarbonisation portfolio at IAA Transportation 2026, combining hybrid and electric drivelines, trailer electrification, air-management systems and integrated software to improve efficiency and support fleet transition.
EEOC sues KLLM over alleged discrimination against female driver trainees
The EEOC has sued KLLM Transport Services and KLLM Driving Academy, alleging female student drivers faced discriminatory training arrangements, delayed starts and unpaid waiting time at facilities in Texas and Mississippi.
SOLiD advances pilot-scale solid-state battery manufacturing in Europe
EU-funded SOLiD has advanced pilot-scale production of solid-state lithium-metal batteries, including solvent-free dry coating, thin lithium-metal anodes, polyester electrolytes and AI-enabled quality control. The project aims to transfer safer, recyclable battery manufacturing to European industry.