Main topic: What is the future of low carbon transportation? 

Outline: Unlike the electricity sector, transport is very resistant to change. In this lecture we will discuss the various issues related to the transition to low-carbon transport, focusing primarily on material and socio-cultural barriers. 

Sources: First,  the basics: Is it environmentally friendly to decarbonize transport by electrifying it? The answer is yes, even when taking into account the entire production cycle of transport vehicles, typically cars, and taking into account the resource base for electricity generation. Good. Now the question is, which form of electrification should we choose - batteries or hydrogen-powered fuel cells? This may not be so clear, but the technological head start, the sheer amount of investment and the considerably simpler and more efficient supply chain now tend to favor battery-powered cars, with the role of hydrogen technology remaining more promising in other areas such as freight or air and marine transport (you can skip the first five minutes of the video as you already know these things from the previous one). But that doesn't mean the end of history for battery-powered passenger cars. Battery design, sourcing precious raw materials or battery after-life are all intensively addressed issues. The essential information about raw materials sourcing (challenges) and recycling options can be found in this longer video by Real Engineering and this video by Matt Ferrell.

OK, but transportation is not just about the means of transport. It's a complex socio-technical system in which cultural patterns play as important a role as economic or technical variables. Without a detailed understanding of all features of this system, decarbonizing transport will not be achievable. An illustration of the complex perspective on individual transport is provided by Giulio Mattioli et al.

Get ready: 

(1) What does individual car transport mean to you? How does it shape your or your family's everyday life? How does your family perceive "the car"? What patterns of meaning are associated with it?

(2) Electrification of transport vehicles is just one way in which the carbon footprint of transport can be reduced. What else can you think of? What challenges and problems, but also benefits (for whom?) are associated with it?