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Q-Park supports ‘Zero-emission mobility for all’

Q-Park supports a carbon-neutral and inclusive urban environment with a variety of programmes – we actively contribute to a more sustainable urban environment!

EV charging points available

People like cars! Cars have given people independence and the freedom to travel. Sometimes for pleasure, but mainly to travel to work, to take children to their schools and activities, and to go shopping.

Being able to drive – and having a car readily available – is part of what makes people mobile and enables them to participate in social and economic life.

It’s a fact: cars are the number one source of mobility in our modern civilisation, and they are the most flexible form of transport we have. However, the downside is: cars are responsible for about 12% of total EU carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, the main greenhouse gas.

European passenger car emissions continue to decline (ec.europe.eu)

Car manufacturers have succeeded in reducing emissions from new passenger cars significantly over the past few years (2010 - 140.3 gCO₂/km, 2015 - 119.5 gCO₂/km and the 2020 target is set at 95 gCO₂/km). Supporting the usability and thus growth of carbon-neutral electric vehicles just makes a lot of sense.

EV Charging Programme

To support electric vehicle use, Q-Park has an EV Charging Programme in place. We are constantly installing additional EV charging points (slow & fast) in our parking facilities, making best use of renewable energy and the electricity grid capacity available.

We currently have 1,018 EV charging points in our portfolio.

More and safe space for people

The number of cars in Europe continues to increase and our economy is centred around the car. What’s more, cars are an important source of revenue for governments. But collectively, we also want to improve our urban environment and health and safety for society in general. People want to visit cities and enjoy cultural and leisure amenities, but at the same time they want to have clean and open squares as well as green parks where they can relax and where children can play safely.

Our aim is to devote more public space to pedestrians and cyclists and less to cars. We want public funds to be spent on ... the public, on a healthier and more inclusive society. Because cities should be organised for people, not for cars.

European passenger car fleet growth

And that's where Q-Park comes in. We understand how to calculate and build the right parking capacity – preferably underground or at city ring roads. And Q-Park actively invests in car parks with private funds. To help reduce search traffic, our websites inform motorists of their options for parking. We have a variety of economic online offers that enable customers to make informed decisions on mobility.

Q-Park supports active mobility

As a socially responsible partner, Q-Park also wants to decrease the number of cars travelling into inner cities and thus decrease emissions. We also want to increase safe and active mobility (walking & cycling) and create space for people. We too like to help keep cities economically viable and have public funds spend on bettering society – not facilitating cars.

Easy and safe parking for bicycles

Not only do we have underground car parks with EV charging points and LED lighting, we offer bicycle parking as well, for both customers and businesses. Q-Park provides space for people to park their bike and for bike-sharing companies to install their hub. We also have solutions for businesses who wish to nudge their employees to commute by bike (often e-bikes). Business specific gated bicycle parking cages, with or without charging points, offer safe and secure bicycle parking.

Urban logistics, last mile solutions

Logistics services are another concern to cities. Commercial vehicles move around at all hours – increasing emissions and congestion. Offering a solution for emission-free last mile delivery would seriously help our shared goal towards a sustainable urban environment. Parking facilities may prove to be an ally in tackling this challenge. For example, we offer lockers and parcel walls, we have pick-up points in place and refrigerated areas for groceries and perishable goods – a service used by restaurant suppliers.

Switch from car to public transport

But most importantly, parking facilities should enable a quick and comfortable switch from a car to public transport, a bicycle or a nice walk.

P+R solutions at ring roads offer economic tariffs and/or integrated season tickets. P+W car parks near city centres are great for commuters and visitors alike – these are more economic and are environmentally friendly too.

The whole purpose of P+R and P+W car parks is to nudge travellers to switch from their car to an alternative, smarter mobility option. Healthier and safer for all.

Other sustainable urban environment programmes

Inclusivity

Wheelchair accessibility

Mobility for all is not just about zero-emissions. It is also about inclusivity – ensuring that city amenities are accessible for a person in a wheelchair is not enough. Providing dedicated and wide parking spaces near exits and elevators makes their lives a bit more comfortable and a city a bit more accessible.

Access for families with children in strollers or people with walkers makes common sense too. Providing nearby, clean and safe parking just helps make a city more inclusive as not everyone is as comfortable in public transport, walking or cycling as they are in their personally equipped car or other means of getting out and about.

COVID-19 learnings

Work from home or office

Working from home to reduce the spread of the coronavirus reduces congestion and pollution too. Yet having access to an office workspace and colleagues also has its advantages. Q-Park’s special Office Flex season tickets allow businesses and commuters to be flexible with their work-home-life balance.

Decreasing congestion and pollution as much as possible while still being able to interact with colleagues when it makes sense to do so in a safe way.

Multimodal lifestyles

Apps promote multimodal lifestyles

Digital tools are the key to promoting multimodal lifestyles. Integrating information about car parks, busy streets, walking distances, public transport schedules and being able to pay for these services digitally is simple and convenient and it also helps customers to make informed choices. Q-Park car park information, number plate access and direct payment are all integrated in a variety of mobile apps: parking provider apps, bank apps, MaaS apps etc.

Low-emission car parks

It goes without saying that we seek to move towards zero net energy (ZNE), not only in mobility but in our parking facilities too. We already have experience of creating and operating car parks with solar panels (in The Hague and Amsterdam). These car parks aim to have their total energy needs covered by renewable energy generated on-site.

Besides adding more ZNE assets to our portfolio, which takes time and requires huge investment, we are actively reducing energy consumption today by installing LED lighting in more than 250 car parks. Most of these facilities have state-of-the-art movement detection too. We also close parking decks when demand is low ensuring that lights are switched off when nobody is there.

Specific mobility actions to reduce emission

A Q-Park MOBILITYACTION for Antwerp is a 60% discount for customers parking at P+R Berchem Station on Saturdays and Sundays (EUR 10 instead of EUR 24) on the parking tariff. This nudges customers to park their car at the ring road and travel into the city centre by public transport (train, tram or bus) – decreasing congestion and emissions, increasing safety and liveability in Antwerp’s beautiful city centre.

Promoting behavioural shift towards sustainable urban mobility

'Zero-emission mobility for all', as simple as a doughnut. The doughnut refers to the theory of the 'doughnut economics' by Kate Raworth.

About the theme 'Zero-emission mobility for all'

In 2020, the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK theme is ‘Zero-emission mobility for all’.

This reflects the ambitious targets of a carbon-neutral continent by 2050, as laid out by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.