Energy efficiency is key to cutting carbon and controlling costs

As fuel costs rise, energy-efficiency measures have brought a welcome convergence between cost saving and carbon reduction. Daniel Wright finds there’s plenty more potential

Daniel Wright

13 July 2012

London Midland trains are fitted with smart electricity meters which monitor energy consumption

Travel de Courcey has just put three all-electric (fast charging battery) buses into service on the Coventry Park and Ride

New powertrains are moving buses towards cleaner power sources

London’s Blackfriars station will generate half its electricity needs from solar cells.

Southern promotes its trains use of regenerative braking.

"Eco-dashboards" help drivers operate their vehicles as efficiently as possible

The new Siemens Desiro City for Thameslink will be lighter and use less energy

It is a win-win situation when the engineering, commercial and marketing departments of passenger transport organisations can find common cause in their business objectives, and a shared message to present to the public and political decision-makers. But the idea of ‘going green’ is increasingly providing just that opportunity - with improved economic and environmental credentials going hand-in-hand. Applying smarter thinking about how bus and rail systems are designed, equipped and...