The mobility landscape is undergoing a transformation driven by climate protection requirements, individual needs and technical innovations. Fleet managers are faced with the task of adapting their fleet strategy to changing circumstances and developments. They must not only manage the fleet economically, but also design the operational mobility of the future in a sustainable, safe and needs-based manner. In this article, we show you what mobility of the future means and present five trends that can help you on your way to future-oriented corporate mobility .
What is the Mobility of the Future?
The mobility of the future describes a combination of sustainable, efficient and technology-based solutions that meet the growing demands for environmental protection and flexibility. In this blog post, we take a look at the future of mobility and take a closer look at five trends that could have a decisive impact on fleet management.
Trend 1: Autonomous Driving
The development of autonomous vehicles continues to progress and will have a significant impact on road traffic in the future. The legal framework has already been established in Germany: In May 2021, the Bundesrat and Bundestag approved a law allowing fully autonomous level 4 vehicles to take part in road traffic.
Autonomous driving describes the ability of vehicles to navigate and move in traffic without human intervention. Sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence recognize the environment and make appropriate decisions. A distinction is made between different levels of automation – from semi-autonomous driving with assistance systems to fully autonomous driving without a driver.
While the widespread use of fully autonomous vehicles is still a long way off in Germany, assistance systems and semi-autonomous driving are already being used in many vehicles today. The situation is different in China. Driverless robot taxis are already chauffeuring their passengers around Beijing. Robotaxis are already driving the first test routes in the USA too. Advances in these technologies are paving the way for fully autonomous mobility in the future.
For commercial vehicles, autonomous driving is to become established more quickly in Germany. Truck manufacturer Man is already testing driverless trucks with the aim of implementing autonomous trucks as series solutions from 2030. This is intended to counteract the driver shortage, which is a major challenge for many carriers. At the same time, autonomously driving trucks should minimize the risk of accidents and traffic jams and reduce CO2 emissions. These developments show that autonomous driving could be integrated into our mobility in the near future.
Trend 2: Integrated Mobility Solutions for the Mobility of the Future
The future of mobility will also be increasingly characterized by networked solutions in the vehicle fleet. Corporate car sharing, e-scooters and public transport will merge into a seamless mobility offering. Companies are faced with the challenge of offering a holistic solution to meet the mobility needs of their employees flexibly and efficiently.
The introduction of such integrated mobility solutions requires well thought-out and strategic planning and implementation. Fleet managers have to take various factors into account, such as employee requirements, the availability of mobility services and the appropriate infrastructure. In addition, technical interfaces and efficient data integration may be needed to seamlessly link the various mobility offerings. It is therefore important for fleet managers to keep an eye on these developments and plan how they can integrate a holistic mobility concept into their fleet strategy. This solution will play a central role in the mobility of the future.
Trend 3: Sustainability and the Electrification of the Fleet
The EU’s decision to phase out internal combustion engines has given new urgency to the electrification of the fleet. As things currently stand, no new vehicles with combustion engines that emit CO2 may be sold from 2035. Vehicles in the “e-fuels only” category are an exception. These are fueled by synthetic fuels and fuels produced from renewable energy sources.
Electromobility therefore plays a key role on the road to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable mobility of the future. Electric vehicles not only offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional combustion engines, but are also becoming increasingly powerful and cost-efficient. Experts predict that electric vehicles could be competitive with conventional cars in terms of both range and price in just a few years’ time. This is due to both the falling prices for batteries and the increasing production capacities.
A lot has already been done in terms of range, too. Some e-vehicles now offer ranges of over 500 kilometers and soon there will even be e-cars with a range of around 1000 kilometers. This continuous progress suggests that the electrification of vehicles will be a major topic in the mobility of the future.
Trend 4: Alternative Drives for the Mobility of the Future
Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrids
In hybrid vehicles, an internal combustion engine is combined with an electric motor to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact. When braking, the electric motor converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy and thus charges the battery. At the same time, it acts as a starter for the combustion engine. If more power is required, the combustion engine kicks in. Hybrid vehicles are usually seen as a bridging technology on the way to fully electrified mobility in the future . A plug-in hybrid can additionally be charged via a power connection.Hydrogen
Hydrogen-powered vehicles use fuel cells to generate electrical energy from hydrogen. They have a long range and short refueling times of no more than 5 minutes, which makes them particularly interesting for long-distance trips. So far, however, there are only a few expensive hydrogen vehicles on the market and the infrastructure for hydrogen filling stations has not yet been developed across the board. A forecast by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research predicts that high prices for hydrogen will make its use as a fuel uneconomical in the long term.Compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas
Vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) are a more environmentally friendly option, as they emit less CO2 and pollutants than conventional combustion engines, but they have hardly caught on. In contrast, LNG trucks are emerging as an attractive alternative to diesel trucks. LNG (liquefied natural gas) is liquefied natural gas.E-Fuels
E-fuels are synthetic fuels produced with the help of renewable energies. Existing vehicles can also be refueled with it without conversion. However, the production of e-fuels is currently still very expensive and their efficiency is also far below that of e-vehicles. The DAT Barometer 2024 makes it clear that e-fuels have already arrived in the fleet despite this: 91% of all fleet managers surveyed have already addressed the issue. It can therefore be assumed that these alternative driving systems will make up a significant proportion of future mobility.Trend 5: Vehicle-as-a-Service Model: More Flexible Mobility through Car Subscriptions
Mobility in the future will become increasingly individualized. There will be a particular focus on the vehicle-as-a-service (VaaS) model, which focuses on the flexible use of vehicles. Away from buying a vehicle to using it as needed for a few weeks or months. The forecast: the market share of the VaaS model is expected to grow by around 38 percent by 2025.
A car subscription offers fleet managers precisely this flexible and cost-effective option to cover the company’s mobility needs at short notice. They are particularly worthwhile to cover seasonal and economic fluctuations or to bridge longer delivery times for ordered vehicles. If you want to test whether e-vehicles are worthwhile for use in your company’s own fleet, you can also opt for a car subscription.
Although the monthly installments are usually higher than with traditional leasing, all expenses such as insurance, maintenance and taxes are already covered. Only the refueling and charging costs are not included. The car subscription provider also takes care of all administrative expenses. Thanks to its flexibility and efficiency, the car subscription can become a central component in the mobility of the future.
FAQ - Mobility of the Future
The electrification of the fleet describes the switch from conventional vehicles to electrically powered models in order to reduce emissions and promote sustainable mobility.
Sustainability in mobility is key to reducing CO₂ emissions, conserving resources and securing long-term ecological and economic benefits.
Autonomous vehicles can be used in a variety of application areas. These include urban transportation systems, delivery services and industrial applications, where they improve efficiency and safety through automated processes.
Electric vehicles offer lower emissions, reduced operating costs and contribute to better air quality and a more sustainable transport infrastructure.
Other Useful Articles on the Subject of Mobility
Mobility Budget Instead of Company Car: Flexible Mobility for Employees
Sustainable Mobility in the Fleet: Electrifying the Fleet
E-mobility in the Company: 5 Important Points of the Fleet Analysis
Sustainable Fleet: Measures for more Environmental and Climate Protection in the Fleet
E-mobility in Fleet Management: Challenges and Tasks for Fleet Managers
