Electrical mobility is one of the most promising solutions for both the simultaneous provision of transport and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Recognizing the environmental advantages of electrical mobility, the Instituto para la Diversificacion Ahorro de la Energia (IDAE) is creating a hallmark for Spanish cities which will advance the integration of the electrical vehicle in local programs for sustainable transport and mobility. SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, is supporting IDAE in developing the procedures for the granting of the concession of the label ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’, thus helping to enable the realization of the Spanish aim of having 250,000 electrical vehicles in circulation around its cities by 2014. —
Transport systems have significant impact on the environment, accounting for between 20% and 25% of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport are increasing at a faster rate than any other sector utilizing energy. Electrical mobility is one of the most promising solutions for both providing transport and reducing greenhouse gases. Electrical transport systems make a positive contribution to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities served.
Recognizing the environmental advantages of electrical mobility, the Instituto para la Diversificacion Ahorro de la Energia (IDAE) is creating a hallmark ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ for Spanish cities which advance the implementation of electrical vehicles in their local programs regarding sustainable transport and mobility. The Instituto para la Diversificacin y Ahorro de la Energa (Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy, or IDAE) is a state-owned business entity that reports to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, through the State Secretary for Energy. The two main strategic objectives guiding the institution’s activities are the goals of increasing both energy saving and efficiency as well as the use of renewable energy.
The label ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ will be an indicator that the city has been recognized for its policies regarding transport, mobility and the reduction of the negative effects these have traditionally had on the environment. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gases, increase sustainability and citizens’ awareness of transport and its effect on the environment.
In order to gain the support of a third party company with extensive expertise in certification processes regarding renewable energy and sustainability, IDAE awarded SGS Industrial Services a contract in September 2010 to develop the procedures which will enable the granting of the ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ stamp to Madrid and further ahead, to all Spanish cities.
The Spanish aim to have 250,000 electrical vehicles in use about its cities by 2014 is a goal which SGS Industrial Services can help achieve. The ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ label is one which SGS is keen to develop to the highest possible standards as it is the only label which will be recognized by the Spanish national authorities.
The ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ label will not only indicate that the local town hall has invested in infrastructure enabling the use of electrical vehicles about the city, it will also highlight that fleets of electrical vehicles are in use for certain services, amounting to a positive environmental impact and helping in the reduction of noise pollution. The ultimate Spanish aim is to extend the positive effects of the ‘City with Electrical Mobility Hallmark’ to each of its cities.
SGS Industrial Services has been chosen to help implement the hallmark due to its technical expertise and the quality of its offered contract, which underlined its understanding of the requirements and aims involved in the granting of this hallmark. SGS will ensure that the hallmark is granted only in accordance with rigorous and uniformly applied standards and procedures, particularly as SGS will be defining the minimum requirements that are to be fulfilled by any Spanish city that is granted the hallmark. SGS will be producing a document for the use of the city authorities that wish to attain the hallmark, the ‘Self Assessment Manual’. In addition, SGS will be developing the procedures covering the following topics: Joining the Label, Label Awarding and Maintenance, Label Use and Minimum Requirements for Auditors. SGS will initially be carrying out the audit for Madrid, although it is estimated that by 2014 every Spanish city should be able to apply for the hallmark.
About SGS Industrial Services
SGS Industrial Services is a global service provider for technical verification, certification, inspection, testing and conformity assessment. Instilling confidence in clients, SGS assures that the quality and performance of products, installations, processes or projects meet applicable requirements and standards, whether they are regulatory-, voluntary- or client-specific.SGS Industrial Services employs a multi-disciplinary team of the best qualified and recognized experts. SGS has decades of experience and some remarkable references in serving key industries, such as Renewable Energy.
For further information, please contact:
SGS Industrial Services
Rafael Corrales Santiago
Energy Efficiency Chief of Area
SGS – Tecnos, S.A.
C/ Trespaderne, 29
28042 – Madrid – Espaa
t: +44 (0) 1276 69 77 47
Email: industrial.pr@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/industrial
