Whereas our forefathers were used to get themselves from A to B on their horse carriage, we have been used to simply take the bike or car. However, the world and its citizens have been confronted with an important issue that will require a different mindset and alternatives. We are all familiar with the concept of global warming and the damage that is caused by the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2). Currently, still 21% of total emissions are a result of transportation (Ritchie, 2020). For that reason the transition towards alternative transportation methods and innovative solutions has only accelerated. Personally, it feels like not so long ago when I was first introduced by the concept electric vehicles. At that time not so many people would have thought these vehicles would replace the cars as we knew them. In my opinion, we are now at a crossing point. The amount of charging stations is increasing rapidly and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.4% from 2021-2028 (Prnewswire, 2021). In addition, regulations came into place that stating that the average of CO2 per kilometer for new cars sold cannot exceed 95 grams (Reuters, 2020). Due to these regulations consumers will be forced to buy electric vehicles and more affordable electric vehicles will be introduced.
In addition, there is the alternative of hydrogen. In my opinion, hydrogen cannot completely replace fossil fuels and our regular forms of transportation. The costs for using hydrogen are still too high, storage is complex and it is still dependent on fossil fuels for production. Therefore, I believe it will be a great addition to the use of electric vehicles for long distance. For example, distributors could make use of hydrogen as electric vehicles do not allow to drive so many kilometers not being charged. Besides these new technologies also new innovative business models have been introduced related to the sharing economy. Companies such as Felyx, Uber and Greenwheels are great examples of applications that have changed our transportation needs. I think in the future this will only be more integrated. It will be made possible to plan your entire trip with public transport, shared electric motorbikes and or cars within one application. Furthermore, even more interesting and futuristic transportations methods are coming even earlier than we might expect. Namely, the flying taxi market is almost ready for takeoff. These electric air taxis can be seen as a real disruption that can lower operating and maintenance costs rapidly. Uber and Hyundai have partnered up in the production of those vehicles and already announced to launch by 2023 (Hornyak, 2020). I am extremely curious how this will all involve and what will happen in the transportation landscape. What kind of transportation do you expect yourself to take in future years?
Hornyak, T. (2021). Retrieved 9 October 2021, from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/the-flying-taxi-market-is-ready-to-change-worldwide-travel.html
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market Worth $103.6 Billion by 2028, Growing at a CAGR of 26.4% from 2021 — Exclusive Report by Meticulous Research®. (2021). Retrieved 9 October 2021, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-market-worth-103-6-billion-by-2028–growing-at-a-cagr-of-26-4-from-2021–exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-301324939.html
Ritchie, H. (2021). Cars, planes, trains: where do CO2 emissions from transport come from?. Retrieved 9 October 2021, from https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport
Staff, R. (2021). Explainer: Why automakers are on a drive to sell electric cars in Europe. Retrieved 9 October 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autoshow-geneva-carbon-explainer-idUSKBN20Q1MM
