A political battle has broken out in Germany over whether trials planned for next year with oversized lorries – so-called ‘mega-trucks’ – should be allowed to take place.
[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]Transport ministers from Germany’s 16 federal states voted narrowly not to support nationwide trials for the 25-metre lorries. But Germany’s transport minister Peter Ramsauer says he still wants the trials to go ahead. The seven states that supported the trials are generally those with right-wing or centre-right governments, and make up around 70% of German territory. These states are now being asked to propose suitable stretches of road for the mega-truck trials. T&E’s German member VCD has called on all state transport ministers to respect the overall vote and reject any trials.
A T&E briefing argues that Europe has significant potential to produce lithium, but focus and the right policies are needed to develop it sustainably.
Signatories include CLG Europe, Danone, PepsiCo, Uber, T&E and WWF EU.