Knowtex

Vehicles that virtually drive themselves are no longer the stuff of science fiction, with Google and other companies working to develop self-driving cars. These automated vehicles not only offer improved safety and fewer traffic jams, but real environmental benefits as well.

Today’s global demand for more efficient cars follows two centuries of shifting attitudes toward fuel-guzzling vehicles, from Model T to Rambler, from Hummer to Prius.

Independent specialised European Union affairs portal for EU policy professionals. Expert EU policy journalists follow a wide range of European legislation and topics. Stories, interviews and articles are available in English, French and German.

A year ago, a massive oil spill began in the Gulf. The entire country was glued to the news until the well was capped, and then we forgot about it.

A new carbon tax that was supposed to go into effect in France at New Year is struck down, in a blow to President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Japanese crows have imagined a new tool : they use cars in order to broke nuts. And for that they prefer doing it near signalisation.

As 50 giant oil tankers lurk off the British coast, we reveal an even more scandalous threat to the global environment.

Powered by chocolate, steered by carrots and a body made of potatoes, but it goes from 0 to 60 faster than any other Formula Three car. This racing car built from recycled drinks bottles, old aircraft panels and carrot tops will line up for its first competitive race next month.

The doors of one of these capsules folded back like a pair of butterfly wings to reveal a grey-and-white interior, seating for four and no sign of a driver or anything that one might drive it with: only a button set in the wall, with the word “start” written beside it.

In 100 years we've already burned through almost half the world's supply of oil. How will we ride out the slide down the other side of Hubbert's Curve?