🚋 Mobility Futures #20

Happy Monday 👋

Negotiations between the EU and China for an EV market deal stalled, failing to agree on pricing. The proposed US tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada could significantly raise EV prices, benefiting Japanese and South Korean automakers but straining US brands. Meanwhile, Porsche extended the selling of combustion engine vehicles due to declining EV sales. In aviation, Etihad Airways plans to expand its global network with 10 new routes by 2025. Spain allocated $525.7M in subsidies for Catalonia’s commuter rail system to cover deficits. The IMO finalized draft guidelines on ammonia fuel releases, and Schneider National acquired Cowan Systems for over $400M, enhancing its logistics capabilities.

What's new?

HolonIQ’s new Green Skills Map and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.

HolonIQ's new skills newsletter is here! Get updates on emerging skills, workforce shifts, and industry insights across impact sectors. Subscribe now to stay ahead.

🚘 Ground Mobility

⚠️ EU-China electric vehicle deal negotiations stall. Negotiations between the EU and China for an EV market deal have stalled after 50 hours of talks failed to reach a pricing agreement, according to Sabine Weyand, the EU's director general for trade.

💸 Trump's Tariffs Could Significantly Increase EV and PHEV Prices. The US’s proposed 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada could raise EV prices, impacting popular EV models. Japanese and South Korean automakers may benefit, while US brands face supply chain disruptions.

⛽ Porsche to Develop New ICE Variants as EV Sales Fall. Porsche, the German automaker, decided to continue selling combustion engine cars for a longer period than initially planned due to a decline in EV sales.

🛬 Aviation

✈️ Etihad Airways Expands Global Network with 10 New Routes in 2025. Etihad Airways, a major airline based in the UAE, announced plans to launch 10 new routes in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth and expansion strategy.

🛫 UrbanLink Air Mobility Partners with Traverse Aero for Expansion. UrbanLink Air Mobility LLC, a company focused on advanced air mobility and sustainable transportation, announced a strategic partnership with Traverse Aero to expand its operations.

🚁 Two-seat personal eVTOL reaches a key milestone. The UK-based Axe completed its first phase of manned test flights. This marks a key milestone in the certification process, with two more crucial phases—forward flight and transition—set for testing in the coming months.

🚋 Rail

🚆 Spanish Government Subsidizes Catalonia Commuter Rail System. The Spanish Government is providing $525.7M in direct subsidies to the Catalonia commuter rail system till 2026 with a share that will cover Rodalies’ 2023 operating deficit.

🚆 Hitachi Rail Invests $73M  in Next-Gen CBTC Technology. Hitachi Rail, a company in the mobility industry, is investing $73M in developing its next-generation communications-based train control system. 

🚆 Additional Flirt DMUs ordered for TEXRail. Trinity Metro, the transport operator of Fort Worth, signed a contract with Stadler for four additional Flirt DMUs for TEXRail with delivery set for 2027, supporting growing demand and service enhancements. Over 3 million passengers have used TEXRail since its 2019 launch.

🚢 Marine

⚓️ IMO Finalizes Draft Guidelines for Ammonia Fuel Releases. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) finalized draft guidelines for controlling ammonia releases from ships using ammonia as a fuel, addressing the evolving regulatory landscape for ammonia as a maritime fuel.

⚓️ BIMCO Adopts FuelEU Maritime Clause for 2025 Regulation. BIMCO adopted a clause related to the upcoming FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and it requires maritime stakeholders to take compliance measures.

🚢 US Congresswoman, representing California Introduced the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act. Rep. Barragán introduced the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act, proposing a $1B annual fund to advance clean shipping technologies and infrastructure. The bill prioritizes environmental justice, job training, and emission reductions while excluding automated ship funding.

🛠️ Skills and Workforce

HolonIQ is now tracking reskilling and upskilling initiatives critical in bridging workforce gaps. Impact industries are rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, decarbonization, geopolitical dynamics, and socio-economic factors. To that extent, these sectors require considerable workforce/professional development initiatives to enhance workers' capabilities, boost economic growth, and promote social well-being. Read on for this week’s insights, and discover more in HolonIQ's latest Skills newsletter.

🗑️ ILO Skills Project Enhances Waste Management and Sustainability for SMEs. A recent ILO initiative in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, focused on training women-led and disability-inclusive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in environmental sustainability and waste management. The training addressed skills gaps and fostered green business practices, including circular economy and waste-to-value strategies. Participants gained practical knowledge in waste management, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, which they can apply to their businesses, supporting Ethiopia’s green growth and economic inclusion goals. The program highlights the role of SMEs in sustainable development.

👔 Newsom Unveils Jobs Program in Fresno, Reinforces $200M Downtown Promise. California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced a $120M jobs program in Fresno focused on clean energy, carbon capture, and manufacturing, aligning with the California Jobs First Initiative. Highlighting community-driven strategies, Newson emphasized workforce development through local partnerships. The program is aimed at bridging regional economic gaps. Additionally, Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to a $200M downtown revitalization fund, ensuring its inclusion in the upcoming state budget.

🪟 New Training Center Bridges Green Heating Skills Gap in Cumbria, UK. Lakes College in Cumbria has launched a new green energy training center, funded by £200K from the government, to address the skills gap in low-carbon heating. The center will offer courses in air and ground source heat pumps, solar thermal, and electric vehicle charging. As the UK seeks 33,700 heat pump installers, the center aims to provide critical training to meet Net Zero goals, supporting the nation’s green targets.

HolonIQ has launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated for cataloging, evaluating, and contextualizing the different components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.

💰 Deals of the Week

💰 Schneider National Acquires Cowan Systems for Over $400M. Schneider National, a transportation and logistics company, acquired Cowan Systems and some of its real estate assets in a deal worth more than $400M.

🚁 Vertical Aerospace secures $50M funding to advance the 'Flightpath 2030' strategy. Vertical Aerospace, a company involved in mobility, announced that it secured $50M in new funding as part of a $180M transaction to strengthen its financial position and advance its 'Flightpath 2030' strategy.

🚢 Swedish startup Candela raises $40M Series C to accelerate zero-emission waterborne transport. Swedish startup Candela successfully closed its Series C funding round, raising $40M in 2024, including a fresh $14M led by SEB, to accelerate zero-emission waterborne transport.

🚢 Lynxis LLC Acquires TEDIVO LLC to Expand Digital Solutions for the Maritime Industry. Lynxis LLC, a provider of logistics optimization solutions, acquired TEDIVO LLC, a company offering software for visualizing maritime operations.

🚚 KAG Acquires XBL, Strengthening Gulf and Midwest Presence. The Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) acquired Texas-based XBL Holdings and its subsidiaries Xcel Bulk Logistics and XBL Industrial Materials.

🌊 Lloyd's Register Acquires Ocean Technologies Group. Lloyd's Register, a professional services company, acquired Ocean Technologies Group, specializing in marine services.

💰 Vitu to Acquire Dealertrack Registration and Titling Businesses from Cox Automotive. Vitu, a Vehicle-to-Government technology company, signed an agreement to acquire the Dealertrack Registration and Titling Businesses from Cox Automotive.

🚚 Heniff Transportation Systems Acquires Hagen Johnson Trucking. Heniff Transportation Systems acquired 30-truck food-grade tanker carrier Hagen Johnson Trucking.

Like getting this newsletter? For unlimited access to over one million charts, request a demo.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com