I MUST come clean. I have been seduced by a Frenchman.
His distinguished silver-grey looks turned my head five years ago. I know it’s no excuse, but I was working late shifts and needed reliable company to get me home. So I fell into the arms of Gilbert (soft “g”, silent “t”, s’il vous plait). We have been increasingly inseparable ever since.
This is how easy it is to start a love affair with a car. What begins as a practicality soon develops into a marriage of convenience. For years I was a happy foot soldier and negotiator of public transport. Now I’ll step out with Gilbert for even the shortest of strolls without a backward glance. The only salve for my conscience is that my beau is a modest Peugeot 107 of advancing years. The average lawn mower probably releases higher emissions.
But Gilbert is still one small cog in the wheel of environmental meltdown. And that wheel is spinning ever faster.
Hence the search for the holy grail of greener transport is extensive.
The latest silver lining in the climate cloud is the Esprit (Easily Distributed Personal Rapid Transit), a public transport system using stackable cars similar in design to shopping trolleys.
Not buying it? This is a serious proposition, part of the European Commission’s Green Vehicles Sub-Programme of Horizon 2020. The University of Aberdeen and transport group First are among the organisations across Europe involved in the Esprit project to develop lightweight electric vehicles that can be stacked together to save space. Up to eight can also be driven together as a “road train”. The vehicles will be designed for short journeys in busy areas.
It’s a shame this column doesn’t run with a picture, but I urge you to hit Google and see for yourself the Esprit shopping trolley road train. It looks more toddler’s toy set than saviour of the planet. But first impressions can deceive.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson, speaking at a demonstration event in Glasgow last week, was certainly entering into the spirit of the Esprit.
He said: “It’s exciting to see innovation in the area of sustainable transport from Esprit. Alongside walking, cycling and public transport, developments in car, lift and bike sharing can only further sustainable travel options by providing viable alternatives to single occupancy car journeys across Scotland.”
Esprit’s Dr Richard Mounce, from the University of Aberdeen, explained: “Transportation to and from city centres and within suburban areas is increasingly unsatisfactory in terms of congestion, environmental and societal aspects.
“Solutions to reduce this congestion and pollution must be explored seriously for the benefit of society now and in the future.
“With car-sharing schemes expanding throughout Europe, Esprit will create a system that provides greater energy efficiency, whilst also reducing congestion as well as noise and air pollution.”
In the meantime, my shameful dalliance with Gilbert must continue. But I don’t feel too guilty. After all, he doesn’t have that much under his bunnet.
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