Coldplay launched an app that aims to reduce fans’ emissions at their concert: The British band released an app earlier this year that rewards fans for taking low-carbon transportation to concerts during the group’s current world tour, reports Bloomberg. The app allows fans to calculate their estimated carbon emissions based on their mode of transport and are then encouraged to choose a climate-friendly option with the incentive of 10% off Coldplay merchandise. There were 80k downloads of the app during the first leg of the 2022 tour, and the band pledged to cut emissions 50% compared to its 2016-2017 shows.

How accurate is the data from the app? Fans could game the app for the promised markdown, since there isn’t a way to verify that fans actually used the method of travel they stated in the app. There’s also the matter that carbon emissions are calculated differently in different countries where the band is touring. Still, it’s a good and creative initiative: Besides its direct effectiveness, it also raises awareness among the band’s following.

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Say hello to solar cars: Dutch startup Lightyear will start rolling out the world's first production-ready solar electric car to customers later this year, the company said in a statement. The USD 263k car, dubbed Lightyear 0, promises customers the chance to “drive for up to two months before you need to think about charging” in the Netherlands, while in sunnier countries like Portugal, it could spend up to seven months without the need to get charged. Lightyear 0, which has a maximum speed of 160km/h, is set to undergo its first test drives in August, in hopes to start reaching drivers in November. Lightyear 0 has fully embraced its clean and environmentally friendly promise, with a vegan interior and recycled and ethically-sourced materials. The company has more affordable models of its solar car in the pipeline, slated to start production in 2024-2025, which will be in the EUR 30k price range, Bloomberg reports.