Recognizing the environmental advantages of electrical mobility, the Instituto para la Diversificacion Ahorro de la Energia (IDAE) is creating a hallmark for Spanish cities. SGS helps to enable the realization of the Spanish aim of having 250,000 electrical vehicles in circulation around its cities.

Transport systems have significant impact on the environment, accounting for between 20% and 25% of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. 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) (http://www.idae.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.11/relcategoria.101/relmenu.30) 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 Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía (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. SGS 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.

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 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 ‘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 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 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.

About SGS Industrial Services

SGS Industrial Services (http://www.sgs.com/_industrial?lobId=5550) is a global service provider for technical verification, certification, inspection, testing and conformity assessment. 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 (http://www.wind.sgs.com/).

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 - España

t: +44 (0) 1276 69 77 47
Email: industrial.pr@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/industrial

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With 59,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.