The Future of Mobility in 2035: India's Mobility Revolution Propelling It Toward Global Economic Dominance

Spotting electric rickshaws in Delhi in 2010 marked the first milestone in the Indian mobility industry’s transformation. Today, electric vehicles, with their sustainable approach and alternative transportation mode proposition, have created hype in the mobility market. Driven by tech advancements and innovative solutions, the market is undergoing several shifts. Looking at the future, we need to develop a mobility system that is environmentally-friendly, integrated, automated, and personalized. Trends like electric vehicles, shared mobility, and autonomy will be pivotal in shaping the progressive future landscape of the mobility industry in India.

The current situation is that we are heavily reliant on private vehicles powered by fossil fuels. As a result, issues like congestion, pollution, lack of parking facilities, etc., continue to exist. The increasing population and rising urbanization are further putting a burden on the existing mobility infrastructure. This calls for innovative solutions to develop the mobility industry and cater to the growing demand. Hence, India will invest heavily in modernizing its public transportation systems, with expansive metro rail networks, high-speed trains, and bus services that connect urban and rural areas and enable seamless mobility. To achieve this goal, the government should prioritize building smart, safe, and strategic modes of transportation. It is equally important to support this vision with clean energy infrastructure owing to the growing concerns about carbon emissions from traditional transportation systems.

We are witnessing a gradual shift from traditional ICE vehicles powered by fossil fuels to green alternatives like electric or hybrid vehicles. The transition is being facilitated across all vehicle segments, from two-wheelers and cars to buses and commercial vehicles. Today, when the transportation industry accounts for more than 6% of India's overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the electrification of mobility is a significant move to reduce carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels. The EV momentum that we see today is expected to pick up pace in the future. Policies like FAME II, PLI schemes, and state-wise programs will help accelerate this shift and carve the path towards a sustainable mobility landscape.

India has set ambitious targets of 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030 and achieving a net-zero target by 2070. ~50% of the global sales in LDV (light-duty vehicles) sales are targeted to be Zero-Electric Vehicles by 2035. The government is thus making concerted efforts to drive the transition to green mobility through the rapid adoption of EVs. To achieve these targets and facilitate India’s transition towards EV deployment, we need policy support from the Central and State Governments, infrastructure development, technology innovations, and increasing consumer awareness.

Another trend we will witness by 2035 is the surge in the adoption of autonomous vehicles for public and private transport. This will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and improve the efficiency of mobility solutions. Also known as self-driving cars, they will be an integral part of the overall mobility landscape in the times ahead. With advancements in AI, sensor technologies, and a growing need for safer and more efficient transportation solutions, autonomous vehicles will gain popularity. They will provide an effective solution to growing traffic congestion and improve transportation efficiency. In fact, we also expect to see electric autonomous vehicles (AV-Es) transforming the mobility landscape. Offering the advantages of both EVs and autonomous technology, these vehicles will be a more efficient and sustainable transportation choice in the future. AV-Es will increase on-road safety and alleviate traffic congestion by reducing human error, which is the primary reason for 94% of collisions and will lead to a faster commute.

To deal with the current challenges faced by the mobility industry in India, we need to establish a robust shared mobility infrastructure. It will drive the shift from an ownership model of private vehicles to usership of shared vehicle options. Expansion of ride-sharing, carpooling, and bike-sharing services, supported by technology platforms, can offer convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly commuting options. Shared mobility can paint the future of transportation to be all the more affordable, reliable, clean, green, and efficient. And India can be a strong market because of factors, including familiarity with the concept, booming digital infrastructure, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With technological advancements, the mobility industry will adopt the utilization of big data, AI, and predictive analytics to optimize traffic flow, manage transportation networks efficiently, and personalize commuter experiences. Moreover, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a relatively new concept in India. However, with the support of the government, it can become an important part of the mobility industry. We will see the market expanding exponentially in the future with India utilizing its tech prowess and integrated mobility solutions. It will gain momentum as it will offer consumers the ability to effortlessly organize trips in a flexible and personalized way by integrating transportation into a single service. Various transportation modes integrated into a single accessible service will allow for seamless planning, booking, and payment of multimodal journeys. MaaS has the potential to reduce dependence on private cars and traffic congestion and contribute to a sustainable mobility landscape in India.

The Indian mobility industry is at the cusp of the development curve. Ten years from now, the mobility landscape will be different from what it is today. We will see a robust transportation system supported by a clean energy infrastructure. To lay the foundation for a strong mobility landscape ten years from now, a strong emphasis will be on reducing carbon footprints through green mobility initiatives, renewable energy-powered transport solutions, and stringent emission regulations. Corporations and urban planners will focus on sustainable commuting programs, promoting the use of public transportation, cycling, and walking, backed by subsidies and incentives. The stakeholders will sustain their focus on developing infrastructure that supports efficiency and eco-friendly mobility, including dedicated lanes for public transport and non-motorized vehicles. With revolutions and transformations in its mobility infrastructure and practices, India is poised to emerge as a leader in sustainable and smart transportation on the global stage.