Johannesburg Air Pollution Spike Leads to New Alert System

Johannesburg launches pollution warning app

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have created South Africa’s first air pollution warning app as Johannesburg deals with a recent spike in coal-related emissions. The tool will pull data from multiple monitoring stations to flag sudden increases in pollution and offer basic advice to residents. The city has reported a strong sulfur smell in recent weeks, which officials have linked to emissions from nearby mining and industrial sites. 

Residents have complained of breathing difficulties and other health issues. Activists say weak enforcement isn’t helping, pointing to emissions exemptions given to major polluters like Sasol and Eskom, and questioning how the government is balancing its reliance on coal with public health concerns. 

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Further reading: As coal chokes Johannesburg, South African scientists launch pollution warning app

Vietnam extends EV tax incentives to boost adoption

Vietnam is planning to extend its lower tax rate on electric vehicles until 2030 in an effort to keep EV sales moving. The proposal would continue the current 1-3% tax range, first introduced in 2022, beyond its planned expiry in 2007.

The policy has already driven EV sales from about 7,000 in 2022 to nearly 175,000 last year. Officials state this supports the country’s 2050 net-zero target as each vehicle emits fewer emissions than a petrol car. The government is also keeping registration fees waived, which shows it’s still backing cleaner transports, especially in cities where pollution is worse. 

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Further reading: Vietnam plans to extend tax incentives for EVs until 2030

EV sales surge as high petrol prices drive shift

Electric car sales went up across Europe at the start of 2026, as higher petrol prices pushed more people to switch. Battery EV registrations rose by roughly 30% compared to last year, reaching around 560,000 in the first quarter. March saw a particularly sharp jump. Recent geopolitical tensions have pushed up fuel prices, making petrol cars more expensive to run and driving much of this shift. 

Growth has been especially noticeable in countries like Germany, France, and Spain, where EV sales are up by more than 40%. Industry groups say the trend is helping reduce oil use, strengthening energy security, and supporting the shift toward lower-emission transport. 

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Further reading: EV sales soar in main European markets as drivers shun expensive petrol

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Indonesia explores bioethanol partnership with Toyota

Indonesia is in early talks with Toyota Motor Asia about investing in a new bioethanol plant, as the country looks to scale up its use of alternative fuels. The proposed site in Lampung could produce about 60,000 kilolitres a year, with construction possibly starting in 2026 if a deal goes ahead. Plans include using locally grown sorghum as the main feedstock, supported by a large plantation. 

The discussions are part of a wider push to cut reliance on imported fuel and make greater use of domestic resources. Indonesia wants to roll out a 10% bioethanol blend in petrol by 2028, and projects like this are expected to help move things in that direction while cutting transport emissions over time.

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Further reading: Indonesia, Toyota in talks on potential bioethanol project

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com —  In the Cover Photo: Smoke rising towards the sky Cover Photo Credit: Daniel Moqvist