2035 represents a crucial turning point for sustainable mobility. In line with the objectives established by the European Commission, these data mark the beginning of a new era of mobility, characterized by significant technological advancement and a change in travel habits.
One of the most obvious transformations is the shift towards green mobility, driven primarily by the adoption of electric vehicles. It is destined to grow constantly, with a greater focus on e-mobility solutions, which include fast charging and the expansion and improvement of the network of charging stations.
These changes are leading to a “mobility boost”, gradually transforming cities into “15 minute cities”, where accessible and sustainable mobility services are within reach for all citizens, but more on that later. Furthermore, the automotive industry is embracing new business models, such as ride-sharing and car-sharing, to adapt to new consumer needs. The future of mobility is therefore electric, sustainable and strongly focused on improving the travel experience for everyone.
Main trajectories have been identified and presented as crucial aspects to take into account when considering the future of sustainable urban mobility. Listed below:
– The spread of electric mobility requires new generation electrical infrastructures and smart grids, in which charging stations and electric vehicles used for temporary energy storage are fully integrated and supported. The increase in soft mobility, such as bicycles and other micromobility solutions, requires dedicated infrastructure and spaces within a renovated urban structure.
– The mobility of the future is conceived as a solution modeled on the daily needs of users, no longer forcing the individual to adapt their commitments based on the mobility offer. This means generalized and unified management of data from different sources to provide the right service at the right time and in the right place. Investing in an adequate level of connectivity infrastructure (5G and 6G) is important to spread on-demand mobility even in areas far from the city center.
– The need to own a private car will gradually decrease and the future of cars may become a shared destiny. By building a more widespread network of services (through public transport and sharing of two and four-wheeled vehicles) people will obtain the same freedom to move equal to that given by owning a car. The abandonment of private vehicles will be driven not only by economic savings, but above all by the objective of traveling in a more sustainable way for the environment
– The change in mobility and the reduction in the number of vehicles in transit within the city will change the urban structure, modifying the shape of the road lanes and freeing up areas to be used for new purposes. The definition of “15-minute neighborhoods” spread throughout the urban area will be able to guarantee a city on a human scale even in large metropolitan cities where social relations and active mobility will be preserved.
– Alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. In the future, electric vehicles are destined to become the status quo. By introducing laws that limit the circulation of high-emission vehicles, new types of fuel will be marketed to allow different types of vehicles to circulate.
Experts believe it is likely that all these technologies will be fully developed and ready for implementation in Italy by 2035. The future of mobility will therefore be electric, shared and centered on improving the quality of urban life.