THE EDIT
Your monthly briefing on the journey to fossil freedom
Issue #35, Transforming transports, July 2026
Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President for North Central at Volvo. Photo: Volvo
Charging heavy trucks ten times faster – is it possible?
What to know: A new charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles is beginning to take shape across Europe. At the centre is the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a new standard designed to charge electric trucks up to ten times faster than current charging systems.
Why it matters: Heavy road transport accounts for a significant share of Europe’s carbon dioxide emissions, and charging times remain a key hurdle in the electrification journey. Faster charging could help accelerate the shift towards electric freight transport and support lower emissions from one of the economy’s most important sectors. "With the new range now available, many more and longer transport assignments become possible", says Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President for North Central at Volvo.
Lower Thames Crossing will be the biggest development of electric and hydrogen powered heavy machinery in the world. Photo: Lower Thames Crossing
Major UK road project cuts construction emissions in half
Construction remains one of the toughest sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now, the UK's Lower Thames Crossing project is testing what large-scale infrastructure could look like in a low-emissions future. From electric and hydrogen-powered machinery to lower-emission steel and concrete, the project is aiming to reduce construction emissions by up to 70 per cent while creating a model others can follow.
China, Europe and the United States dominate the EV sector, but outside the major markets, things are beginning to happen. In 2025, electric car sales in emerging markets and developing economies, like Latin America, the Asia Pacific and the Middle East, rose by around 80 per cent, according to the International Energy Agency's “Trends in electric cars report". Increasing availability of lower-cost electric car models is the main reason behind the increase.
EV charging is getting smarter: Here’s what it means for you
Photo: Hans Peter van Velthoven/Vattenfall
In the Netherlands, one of Europe’s most mature EV markets, Vattenfall InCharge is shaping the next generation of public charging. New charging points will give drivers real-time information on prices, charging speeds and energy use, while allowing them to choose between lower-cost charging or faster charging when time is tight. Features such as smart charging shifts demand to periods when grid capacity is available, making charging better integrated with the electricity system.
News flash
3 x quick updates from the energy world
Photo: Unither Bioélectronique
Hydrogen helicopter in flight
For the first time ever, a hydrogen-electric-driven helicopter has completed a circuit flight. The helicopter performed a controlled takeoff, climb, patterned flight and landing. (aviatonpros.com)
Photo: Adobe Stock
All is well
Old oil and gas wells are spread across the US. Most of them are no longer in use. Several states are currently examining the possibility of turning the drilled holes into geothermal energy sources. (wired.com)
Photo: Vattenfall/Dan Sjunnesson
Charge without seams
Charging an EV can be complicated, with a myriad of systems and technologies being used. The pilot project Seamless Charging shows that it is possible to eliminate the need for charging cards and apps – you can just plug in. (www.vattenfall.com)
And finally …
A Swedish ferry-tale
Stockholm is surrounded by water. “The Venice of the North” is built on fourteen islands, which are connected by around 50 bridges – and diesel-powered ferries. At least until now. For the past couple of years, a pilot project with an electric hydrofoil ferry has cut both carbon dioxide emissions and travel times, reports Euronews. Now the Swedish Transport Administration has evaluated the test period – and is allowing the service to expand.