Key Emerging trends in Mobility Sector

The mobility sector is undergoing huge change driven by electrification and digitisation. To understand the impact of this change and where Hitachi can help drive the mobility transition, we launched a major research project into the e-mobility and automotive market, interviewing 80 representatives from the industry and more than 50 internal subject matter experts. Here’s what we found:?

5 macro trends are shaping the mobility sector:?

1. Vehicle electrification. The move away from the internal combustion engine (ICE) towards electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating. Consumer preference for greener vehicles and tightening regulations around emissions are key drivers, as are the reduced manufacturing complexity of EVs, lower running costs for the consumer, and battery costs declining much faster than expected.? ??
2. Autonomous driving. As more autonomous driving features are developed, both fully and partially autonomous cars will become more commonplace. Reduced component costs, optimised driving efficiency and time saved by not driving, are all pushing this trend.? ??
3. Vehicle connectivity. Electrification and autonomous technologies rely on sensors, complex central processing units (CPUs) and cameras. These are a significant part of the vehicle’s manufacturing cost; however, we expect sensor costs to fall over the next decade, making this technology more accessible.? ??
4. On-demand mobility services. With much of the population living in urban areas and demanding greener transport methods, 15% of urban trips will be shared, on-demand by 2030. This demand trend is also evidenced by 10-20% of consumers considering giving up their private car, and authorities promoting walking and mass-transit.? ??
5. Digitalisation of mobility infrastructure. The mobility infrastructure in major cities is already under stress, with congestion levels high and getting worse. This, coupled with a projected increasing demand for urban public and private transport, paves the way for smart mobility solutions.?

The transition to sustainable mobility is far-reaching?

Most people immediately associate electric vehicles with passenger cars, but our research has shown that the mobility transition is far more complex, with parcel and logistics operators and corporate fleets and public transport operators all under pressure to decarbonise fleets and improve the customer experience. As a result, an entirely new transportation ecosystem is developing across private and public sector providers.??

For example, energy generation, distribution and supply – which for sustainable transportation means green electricity generation and charging infrastructure – underpins all electric vehicles, both commercial and privately-owned. Plug to grid solutions across the entire sector will develop further, with monitoring systems providing real-time information on energy demand.?

Both privately owned and commercial vehicles will rely on smart connected systems that will not only make passenger experiences better, but they will also improve efficiency to keep networks moving safely. Therefore, we expect to see more development and demand for electronic architecture, and a focus on cybersecurity that is inevitable for transport networks and passenger cars that are controlled by over the air updates and remote connectivity.?

It’s an exciting time to be working in mobility, and Hitachi is in a strong position to support this sector in the journey towards sustainability and optimised passenger experiences. Join us at InnoTrans to learn how we are working with our customers to transform the transportation sector through cutting-edge technology. ?