Along with other related search keywords such as “how to preserve” and “effect of climate,” “sustainability” set a record high in 2021 for the number of people using Google to look for information about it all over the world.
“We’re now at a position where the momentum [of sustainable mobility] has tilted, and nobody can stop it at this point,” said the creator of the newsletter for Sustainable Mobility. “We’re now at a stage where the momentum has tipped” with reference to the movement toward sustainable mobility. Even in the event that Tesla is unable to continue operations, the movement toward electric vehicles will continue to advance.
But as a number of publications have demonstrated, while this momentum is fantastic, it is not sufficient.
The first quarter of 2022 saw an increase of 38% in sales of electric vehicles in the United States, while sales in the European Union saw an increase of 53%. According to the findings of a study, existing state-level EV laws in the United States would only result in a 27% reduction in emissions by the year 2050. Studies predict that Europe will not reach the targets set for the year 2030 until the year 2051. This situation is also present in Europe.
The achievement of the optimal levels of sustainable mobility in the modern world is still contingent on two main goals: rapidly reducing carbon emissions and achieving as much mode shift as is humanly possible.
What is meant by sustainable mobility?
Sustainable mobility refers to any kind of transportation that uses nonrenewable energy sources, specifically fossil fuels. Transportation accounted for 27% of the United States 2020 greenhouse gas emissions.
Governments around the world are striving for low-emission transportation solutions such as sustainable automobiles, micromobility, and improved public transportation.
The issue is how early automobile technology, such as the gas-powered cars of the nineteenth century, and a long-standing culture surrounding the prestige of private car ownership have shaped our existing transportation infrastructure.
Following the construction of highways, cities, regulations, and economic incentives, fossil fuel-powered transportation was positioned as a requirement for convenience, access, and speed.
There is, however, good news: a new wave of apps and software services aimed explicitly at enhancing sustainable transportation through connected automobile data.
Sustainable transportation system illustration
In order to make the transition to sustainable mobility, we need to examine the ways in which technology, policy, economics, and culture now in place interact with various forms of sustainable transportation and the development that supports them.
According to a study published in the journal Energy Research and Social Science, there are three narratives that have the potential to inspire effective policy and action around sustainable mobility:
- Low-mobility societies
- Collective transport
- Electromobility
The creation of solutions that tackle specific gaps in these narratives is beneficial to the transportation systems that are in use today. To implement changes on a larger scale, partnerships between communities, communities of interest, and local governments, as well as technology businesses, are essential.
Ways to enhance sustainable mobility ecosystems
Since the development of businesses like Uber, integrations have grown increasingly widespread in the mobility industry. However, the concept of a “winner take all” approach with public and private partnerships has proven impractical.
It’s possible that internet search will be a winner take most or all, but mobility won’t be, in part because of the wide diversity of needs that we have on a daily basis.
The scope of environmental issues that can be solved is expanded through the use of software techniques driven by partnerships.
These collaborations bring together additional resources and expertise in order to put into effect better travel solutions that are designed for increased accessibility, convenience, and trust among consumers.
Here are 4 ways that services and apps are promoting the use of sustainable mobility options:
- Bettering the user experience
- Features for hyperlocalized travel that are easier to use
- More convenience with mode shift
- Making use of electric vehicles to restore the grid
The interconnected nature of sustainable mobility
Mobility applications and services are altering the way that we think about environmentally responsible travel in a variety of ways, ranging from the charging of electric vehicles to car sharing and urban planning.
A significant amount of work remains to be done before more recent forms of transportation are regarded as economically viable and receive support from a cross-section of diverse populations. However, taking a holistic and cooperative approach to the development of technology will lead to chances and incentives that will assist us in achieving our goal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of connected automobiles?
With the aid of in-vehicle or aftermarket equipment that continuously exchanges crucial safety and mobility information, connected vehicle technology will allow automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles to “speak” to one another.
Why do we need connected automobiles?
Connected vehicle mobility applications will not only assist drivers in navigating the roads in a more effective manner, but they will also assist system operators in improving the operation of our nation’s transportation system, which will, in turn, reduce congestion, and travel delay, and improve our overall mobility.
How many connected cars are there?
It is anticipated that the number of connected vehicles on the road will expand by more than a factor of three over the next several years. In the United States, in the year 2021, there were around 84 million connected cars driving on the roads. The United States is projected to have more than 305 million of these vehicles in use by the year 2035, making it the largest market for connected vehicles.
