Sustainable Mobility
We can rarely be sure what the future will look like. However, when it comes to mobility, it is very clear. It will be sustainable. This is largely the result of strong investment in technological innovation, the promotion of renewable energies and, most importantly, a change in the mentality of consumers and their concern for the environment.
That is why 2022 is a key year in which different methodologies and solutions are being incorporated that will make conventional transport more responsible and ecological. Here we will explain what are and what will be the trends in sustainable mobility that we will see. And, this time, we will start by talking about cars because in years to come they will be very different from those we are familiar with today.
The cars of the future: Electric, connected and autonomous
Electric vehicles
More and more brands are now investing in the development of electric cars. In fact, this is a market does not stop growing and is expected to continue doing so thanks to the strong investment that is being made to promote the installation of charging stations, one of the factors that continues to discourage drivers when opting for an electric car.
This is really good news when it comes to meeting SDG 11 "Building sustainable cities and communities", since 75% of CO2 is emitted in urban environments and largely comes from the emissions generated by vehicles.
There are currently about 180,000 electric vehicles circulating in Spain and by 2030, five million are expected to do so. This is the first step towards ensuring a zero-emission fleet by 2050.
Graph: Emissions according to technology.
Emissions according to technology
BEVs
6.000 g CO2 / 100 km
PHEVs
8.000 < 10.000 g CO2 / 100 km
< 50 NOx / 100 km
Hybrid
12.000 < 14.000 g CO2 / 100 km
< 50 g NOx / 100 km
LPG
12.000 g CO2 / 100 km
50 < 100 g NOx / 100 km
NGV
10.000 < 12.000 g CO2 / 100 km
50 < 100 g NOx / 100 km
PETROL
14.000 g CO2 / 100 km
50 < 100 g NOx / 100 km
DIESEL
10.000 g CO2 / 100 km
300 g NOx / 100 km
Source: Report "Sustainable Mobility of the Future and its Impact on the SDGs"
Connected vehicles
By connected car, we mean a vehicle that has any type of telematic device that can connect to the Internet to optimise journeys and reduce consumption. According to a report on "Sustainable Mobility of the Future and its Impact on the SDGs", it is estimated that by 2025 more than 500 million vehicles of this type will be circulating worldwide. This may also save about 11,000 lives and save 400,000 tons of CO2 per year.
"By 2025, it is estimated that more than 500 million connected vehicles will be circulating worldwide".
This type of vehicle, which revolves around Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and software platforms in the era of big data; it is an opportunity to add value to society and the planet, making life easier for people. That is why global investment plans are focussing on the development of smart mobility, the interconnection of transport users with the road, city intercommunications and traffic control centres.
Autonomous vehicles
Connected vehicles will not be the only ones playing a leading role. In the coming decades, they will share space with autonomous vehicles, as this is an industry that does not stop growing. Undoubtedly, self-driving will be one of the most revolutionary trends. But, in the end, your ultimate goal will be the same as before: To achieve a more efficient use of infrastructures and improve the safety and comfort of drivers.
Different studies estimate that, in just ten years, 40% of road mileage can be driven by autonomous vehicles. But, it is important to remember that there are 5 types of levels to calibrate the autonomy of a vehicle. We are currently at level 2, but there are new projects that aspire to reach level 3.
Level 1
The driver has a small aid system, which has lateral or longitudinal control.
Level 1
The driver has a small aid system, which has lateral or longitudinal control.
Level 1
The driver has a small aid system, which has lateral or longitudinal control.
Level 2
The driver only has to control the surrounding area and can temporarily remove his hands and not look.
Level 2
The driver only has to control the surrounding area and can temporarily remove his hands and not look.
Level 2
The driver only has to control the surrounding area and can temporarily remove his hands and not look.
Level 3
The system takes full control of the vehicle and will prompt the driver to regain control in difficult situations.
Level 3
The system takes full control of the vehicle and will prompt the driver to regain control in difficult situations.
Level 3
The system takes full control of the vehicle and will prompt the driver to regain control in difficult situations.
Level 4
The driver does not need to pay any attention to driving. If the car asks you to take back control, you can choose to do it or not.
Level 4
The driver does not need to pay any attention to driving. If the car asks you to take back control, you can choose to do it or not.
Level 4
The driver does not need to pay any attention to driving. If the car asks you to take back control, you can choose to do it or not.
Level 5
No driver required.
Level 5
No driver required.
Level 5
No driver required.
Other trends in sustainable mobility
Electrification of last-mile freight transport
For years, we have been witnessing unstoppable growth in eCommerce. While 2021 was the year of online shopping, 2022 will be the year of last-mile delivery. If we talk about sustainability, this has a very important environmental impact since making so many deliveries in such a short time means using a large number of vehicles that generate CO2 emissions.
To solve this problem, electrification is once again the best solution. That is why Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have been created in large cities that restrict access to urban centres for the vehicles that cause the most pollution so this will no longer be a problem.
The transition to electric, connected vehicles not only has a significant environmental impact, it can also mean better end-results for the fleet. For example, telematics can used to exercise precise control over the performance of each vehicle and enable companies to optimise their routes.
Urban planning for sustainable cities
The creation of sustainable cities one of the objectives that need to be promoted. But this is only possible if there is correct urban planning. This is why they are starting to include new bike lanes, as well as exclusive lanes for buses. The latter is helping to encourage the use of public transport, making traffic more agile and efficient.
Electric scooters in cities
The use of electric scooters has increased exponentially in recent years. Especially in large European cities such as Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona and Dublin, where they can be rented by means of a number of different applications. Just like the electric vehicle, this option enables you to travel through the centre of large cities comfortably and respectfully, as it helps to reduce the emission of polluting gases.
Digitalisation and shared mobility applications
Technological progress is making it possible to advance significantly towards sustainable mobility. It has enable people to access more efficient processes and services. For example, there are already applications which display the route where there is less traffic or which is the shortest. There are even applications that show the route available to go by public transport, electric scooter or bicycle. All this enables the user, in this case the driver, to choose the most suitable route based on all the available options.
Remote working
Remote working is undoubtedly one of the most positive measures with regard to sustainable mobility. And fortunately, since 2020 it appears to have come to stay. Even though the main objective is not sustainability, but flexibility and work-life balance, it has a very positive impact on the environment. It means that the number of people who take a car to travel to their place of work is much lower and, therefore, CO2 emissions are reduced.
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