Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen significant advancements and mainstream adoption, prompting in-depth analysis of their economic, technical, and environmental impacts. Economically, while EVs offer lower operational costs than internal combustion engine vehicles, challenges remain, particularly for urban users reliant on public charging stations and the potential implementation of new road taxes to offset declining fuel tax revenues. Technically, electric motors in EVs have fewer moving parts, but battery management and cybersecurity complexities pose new risks. Transitioning from Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) to Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries reflects efforts to enhance thermal stability and mitigate fire hazards. Environmentally, lithium extraction for batteries has profound ecological impacts, including for water consumption and pollution. Battery production and the carbon footprint of the entire lifecycle remain pressing concerns, with battery recycling and second-life applications as crucial mitigation strategies. Smart integration of EVs with the energy infrastructure introduces challenges like grid stability and opportunities, such as smart, intelligent, innovative charging solutions and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. Future research should develop economic models to forecast long-term impacts, advance battery technology, enhance cybersecurity, and conduct comprehensive environmental assessments to optimise the benefits of electromobility, addressing the multidimensional challenges and opportunities presented by EVs.

Transport in cities is one of the most important sources of emissions. Electromobility is an essential element in the catalogue of activities of local authorities aimed at combating climate change. Over the years trolleybus transport has been characterised by both phases of development and regression and is still an essential component of zero-emission urban transport in about 300 cities worldwide. The development of electricity storage technology, especially in the form of a battery, has opened up new prospects for this mode of transport. A trolleybus equipped with a battery (in-motion charging technology) gains unique characteristics for operation independent of the catenary. This study presents the approach for assessing the development of in-motion charging for trolleybuses in all Polish cities operating this means of transport. A set of KPIs has therefore, been set and analysed. The analysis covers a comparison between 2014 and 2019, aimed at showing the development of technological innovations in this field. The results clearly show that in-motion charging technology leads to the development of trolleybus transport, although this development has mainly a qualitative dimension. A key factor determining the development of trolleybus transport using in-motion charging technology is progress in the development of traction batteries.

Issues related to braking and acceleration in vehicles represent both technical and environmental challenges, regardless of the type of drive, whether combustion or electric. In conventional vehicles, the emission of particulate matter is a problem associated with the friction between brake pads and discs, leading to air pollution and health hazards. Brake dust contributes to up to 55% of particulate matter in urban environments. In electric vehicles, the processes of braking and rapid acceleration affect battery wear; however, thanks to energy recovery technology, it is possible to recuperate up to 70% of the kinetic energy. This paper proposes a solution involving the placement of induction loops before intersections with traffic lights to enable the recovery and storage of energy, which could be used to power vehicles waiting at intersections, as well as placement behind intersections to supply power to vehicles accelerating when leaving the intersection. The study considers the application of various energy storage technologies, such as flow batteries, supercapacitors, and flywheels. Each of these technologies offers unique benefits and limitations, such as long operational life, a high number of charge/discharge cycles, and environmental friendliness. Simulations performed using AIMSUN.Next software made it possible to analyze energy consumption and pollutant emissions in various scenarios, indicating the potential benefits of traffic optimization, the use of electric vehicles, and energy recovery. The research results highlight the importance of traffic smoothness and the use of energy storage technologies to reduce pollutant emissions (possible reduction: CO2 by over 40%, NOx by 48%, PM by 73%, and VOC by 40%) and energy consumption (lack of smooth traffic flow leads to approximately 159% higher energy use). The proposed use of energy storage technologies at intersections may significantly decrease particulate and carbon dioxide emissions. The final choice of energy storage technology will depend on local conditions, such as space availability, investment costs, and market availability.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the simulation method of power plants and storage system capacity design. Design/methodology/approach – Owing to solar irradiation, wind speed and water flow are highly and randomly changeable, time variation of the signals needs to be taken into consideration as well as some features of the power plants and storage system. A Matlab/Simulink model of the given system – DC microgrid has been developed. The model allows simulation of a few years static simulations of the power balance. Hence, it can be used to size the plants. Findings – An effective method of the power system design has been developed. It allows sizing the plants taking into consideration resources and load profiles, year changes in profiles and future development of the system. The storage system can be optimized to avoid high power unbalance and power cost increasing. Research limitations/implications – The model describes only static power behaviour of the modelled power system. It does not allow simulating local voltage changes and dynamic properties of the plants and storage. Practical implications – This technique helps to size the plants and, first of all, storage system taking into consideration several technical and economical issues. Originality/value – The method gives opportunity to design a storage system's capacity and power and optimize them. The authors have not found similar methods in the literature.

Noise pollution presents significant challenges for urban infrastructure management, highlighting the need for practical assessment tools such as noise maps. These maps enable the visualization and geo-referencing of noise levels, identifying areas requiring immediate intervention and long-term strategic responses. Road sections with traffic exceeding 3 million vehicles per year were selected for measurement. The findings are presented in detail, revealing that the Long-term Day-Night Average Noise Level (L_den) exceeds acceptable limits, affecting approximately 1.899 km² and impacting around 1200 residents within the exceedance zone. Similarly, the equivalent noise level (L_Aeq) surpasses acceptable thresholds over an area of 1.220 km², affecting an additional 700 residents. Notably, there were no exceedances of the key noise impact indicators, including high annoyance (HA), high sleep disturbance (HSD), and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Changes in traffic organisation were implemented to address areas that exceed the applicable noise standards, including a ban on trucks and the introduction of local speed limits. The measures have successfully mitigated the noise problem in Grodzisk County (Poland). Further anti-noise initiatives are planned, including planting vegetation along the roadways.