Our publications

1) The Belgian Railways (NMBS) launched a tender to equip their parking stations 400 recharging stations for electric vehicles in the first half of 2012.

Through this initiative, SNCB anticipates the change in behavior of rail users. A study released last July showed that the electric car and its limited range, associated to the train for longer distances were a good complement. Pending the emergence of a real fleet of electric vehicles for individuals, SNCB also aims to encourage the use of electric bikes and scooters through its terminals.

2) In Singapore, the company Griener Solutions Private Limited offers motorists a system of ecological washing cars, "Eco-garde Grienwash Systems" . Employees, equipped with a backpack tank with a pistol and a microfiber cloth, clean vehicles on certain parking areas of shopping centers, hospitals and cinemas in the city. This system does not require any form of water or power and the products used are certified 99% biodegradable.

This service would save 120 liters of water per wash and is priced at nine euros, or about three times a conventional cleaning.

3) The supermarket chain Systeme U in some stores offer free travel on electric vehicles and recreation utility. This experiment will allow time-limited system U to evaluate the expectations of its users.

The park includes Mia, Nissan Leaf and Citroen C-Zero. In January 2012, rents should actually start and run, Système U is considering selling electric vehicles directly. This new activity would be reserved for the dealer electrical, because this technology has the advantage, according to Système U, of not requiring a service important.

4) An American company, American Maglev Technology, plans to build the first train of electromagnetic North America in Montreal. It would link the city Longueuil or Brossard on the South Shore.

The company has developed a prototype train floating above the rails, thanks to electromagnetism and a test track has been operating for five years in Atlanta. This technology uses 60% less energy than traditional train and also works if the path is covered with snow or ice.

By cons, compared to Shanghai Maglev high speed train, traveling at a maximum speed of 431 km / h, that of Montreal should rather proceed at 40 km / h.

5) In 2016, the Russian company Orbital Technologies will offer a hotel, "Hotel in the heavens", 320 kilometers above the earth. This luxury five star hotel will have four bedrooms and can accommodate up to seven people.

The space tourists will travel in a Soyuz rocket, for a price of 500,000 pounds (586,100 euros). As for the hotel, he should be charged 100,000 pounds (117,200 euros) for a stay of five days.

Press Contact :

Jean-Michel Roullé,
Head of Communications
Tel. +33 (0) 1 42 75 61 37
jean-michel.roulle@strategie.gouv.fr