Top 5 sustainable mobility trends in 2023.

1 February 2023

In this article, we summarise the top 5 trends in sustainable mobility in 2023, driven by increasing environmental awareness and citizens’ search for sustainable solutions. Emission restrictions and environmental policies increase and new technologies for electric and sustainable mobility emerge.

1. The first trend is the increasing adoption of EV.

According to Geotab‘s analysis, 60% of fleets in Europe could switch to electric vehicles, saving a total of more than 156.000 tonnes of CO₂ and more than EUR 260 million. More and more laws are being introduced restricting the circulation of high-emission vehicles, and charging infrastructures are becoming more widespread. A combination that makes owning an EV more convenient. Electra, a start-up company founded in Paris in 2021, is entering Italy with 3.000 new charging points to be installed over the next three years throughout Italy. In addition, car manufacturers are investing in battery-powered models with increasing autonomy and more affordable prices.

We asked ChatGPT about the future of automotive.

2. Shared mobility is growing in popularity.

Increasingly popular and affordable, shared mobility offers a more sustainable alternative to private vehicles. It is a service that is also encouraging the transition to battery-powered vehicles, thus minimising the impact of citizen travel. The national conference ‘Lesscars: drive the revolution’, organised by the National Observatory on Shared Mobility, shows that the real protagonists are two-wheelers: scooters account for 51% of shared mobility vehicles in Italian cities. Bicycles 31%, scooters 10% and cars 7%. Data from the Sixth National Report on Sharing Mobility show that in 2021 Rome will have the largest number of vehicles (14,500), followed by Milan (5,250) and Reggio Emilia with 1,600 vehicles.

On the road safety front, the work to be done continues, even if, as the study by Osservatorio nazionale sharing mobility and Assosharing shows, by 2022 accidents in micro-mobility will have decreased by 80%. A virtuous example is the fleet of scooters Dott equipped with directional arrows and larger wheels.

3. Digitalisation towards smart mobility.

The EU is helping the transport sector to increase the use of new technologies in order to become cleaner, safer and more efficient.

“Digital technologies have the potential to revolutionise the way we move, making our mobility smarter, more efficient and also greener.
Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport.

GPS navigation technology is becoming more and more advanced and will provide drivers with more efficient and faster route information. Driver assistance technologies such as cruise control, automatic braking or parking assistance are becoming more and more common, making city driving safer and more sustainable.

Meanwhile, the 4 Big Techs are competing for a leading role in the automotive industry.

4. It will be an interesting year for MaaS (Mobility as a Service).

The fourth trend in sustainable mobility in 2023 is MaaS, an all-in-one application that integrates multiple public and private transport services accessible through a single digital channel. Users can access car-sharing or taxi services, electric bikes and public transport by planning, booking and paying in one digital channel. During 2023, the “MaaS for Italy” trial will start with the first three identified pilot cities – Milan, Naples and Rome. The MaaS experimentation projects in the respective territories will have to be summarised, by the end of the fourth quarter, in a document containing the results and assessment of the impacts, highlighting opportunities and criticalities. An effective MaaS service can be an extremely useful tool, not only to innovate the mobility sector but also and above all to foster a modal shift towards more sustainable modes of transport.

5. Cities with 30km/h limits will grow.

The aim is to reduce the number and severity of urban road accidents, noise, traffic and pollution by redesigning increasingly human-centred cities. With an Italian average of 65 cars per 100 inhabitants, data from the Mobilitaria Report (Kyoto Club, CNR, Isfort) tell us that urban traffic generates up to 60% of air pollution.

City 30 redesigns spaces and puts people at the centre, especially the most vulnerable: children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

With 30 km/h, the city becomes more inclusive. After Bologna and Turin, a 30 km/h limit will come into force in (almost) the whole city of Milan from 2024.

Valencia, on the other hand, aims directly at becoming a car-free city. The administration demonstrates how continuing to invest in pedestrian and cycling areas and increasing public transport leads to a consequent reduction in environmental impact and a better quality of life for residents and visitors.

Will this be the future of cities? It is possible that there will be more and more car-free cities in the future. However, it will depend on factors such as the availability of viable alternatives, political will and the culture of the people. By using MUVs we become promoters of sustainable and active mobility, with benefits not only for our health but also for the environment. If you haven’t done so yet, all you have to do is download the MUV Game app.