The G7 Transport slows down electric mobility and pushes the Turin-Lyon TAV

Italy and France reiterate their commitment to high speed, while Salvini fears China on electric.Forward on sustainable fuels for aviation.

• Agreement for the continuation of work on the Turin-Lyon TAV and on the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
• The Italian presidency slows down on electric mobility in Europe, due to Chinese competition.

Go ahead with the Tav, the controversial project high speed which should connect Turin to Lyon, and more generally to major works, including the Bridge over the Strait of Messina for which Italy will avail itself of Japan's consultancy regarding anti-seismic measures.Caution, as always, regarding the electric conversion of the automotive market, "so as not to do China a favour".The G7 Transport, the inter-ministerial summit of the 7 most industrialized countries in the world, led by Minister Matteo Salvini, underway in Milan, opens by reiterating two key points of Italian politics.And the first result is the announcement of the continuation of work on the Turin-Lyon TAV, a large-scale infrastructure project that has sparked discussions and debates in recent years.

What the G7 Transport decided

At the end of a bilateral meeting with French minister Patrice Vergriete, the Ministry of Transport has in fact made it known that "there is a common understanding to proceed with the progress of the work".As regards the economic side, at the end of 2023 the most significant figures are:approximately 1.4 billion in works between Italy and France for geognostic studies and works);approximately 1.3 billion in works already completed between Italy and France (preparatory works);over 6.8 billion in contracts awarded for final works;over 3 billion in civil works in progress.News from the G7 Transport also on Frejus tunnel:the part closed since last summer due to a landslide will be reopened in the second half of 2024, just as, after years of work, the second tunnel tube will be inaugurated.Italy and France also signed the agreement on Cuneo-Ventimiglia railway connection, which will strengthen connectivity between the two countries.

Brake on electric mobility 

Another important topic was, as expected, that of electricity.The importance of developing technologies and infrastructure for electric vehicles was emphasized by Salvini, who stated:“We cannot allow other countries to surpass us in this strategic sector.We must invest more and accelerate the pace towards sustainable mobility."At the same time, however, Italy has once again criticized the European Union's plan to accelerate electric mobility (from the 2035 in Europe, it will be possible to sell only electric cars) precisely because of the current European dependence on China for obtaining the materials necessary for the batteries:“It means putting oneself hand and foot in the hands of the Chinese:Europe will have to rethink this ideological march.But awareness of the suicide of European institutions in recent years is growing, I don't know whether due to malice or ignorance.So we have a duty to reverse the trend."

Vergrete himself had the clearest words on the ecological challenge that leaders are called to face when talking about transport:We are unanimous on the importance of a transition towards more sustainable, ecological and responsible modes of transport.We cannot face the future of mobility without thinking about concrete measures to mitigate climate change.These are all the actions we are taking to strengthen the resilience of our transport."

Sustainable aviation fuel 

However, the full agreement for the promotion of the use of Saf, i sustainable fuels for aviation, produced from industrial, vegetable and domestic waste, is destined to make aviation more sustainable, on which the aim is to make aviation less impactful in terms of emissions in the near future: given that today air traffic is responsible 2.4 percent of CO2 emissions according to the International Council on Clean Transportation.