Mobility is one of the topics most frequently discussed on the sustainability agenda. Since the transportation sector is one of the most polluting, there is an increasing focus on the energy transition of cities into smart cities, aiming for carbon neutrality goals. But if we take an even bigger leap and look ahead to 2050, what can we expect from mobility?
The Evolution of Mobility Infrastructure
By 2050, the global population is expected to increase by about two billion people compared to today. We can anticipate adaptations in mobility infrastructure, such as what Elon Musk has referred to as 3D cities, featuring flying cars and/or underground tunnels. As vehicles become autonomous and powered by electric energy, it is expected that passengers will be able to make better use of their travel time while the car transports them through tunnels, which will maximize the efficiency of the transportation network.
Urban mobility will indeed be the primary target of this technological revolution. It is anticipated that, in addition to the underground level already being tested by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, we will also be able to take advantage of the airways. Thus, in the future, taxis could become flying vehicles, and deliveries could be made by drones. EVTOL is the term used for electric taxis capable of taking off and landing vertically, currently being developed by companies like Uber and Airbus.
Public transportation is also included in these projections, with disruptive approaches already emerging, such as gyroscopic buses that can elevate above the roads on rails and bypass traffic by moving above the level of cars. Additionally, in the active mobility segment, shared electric scooters and bicycles will occupy even more space on bike lanes and sidewalks, promoting the dynamics of an ecosystem within urban mobility.
High-Speed Trains, the Hyperloop and Supersonic Flights
While this might seem very advanced and futuristic, one of the most anticipated transformations is the development of high-speed trains for long distances. With advancements in rail infrastructure technology, trains could reach speeds similar to airplanes, powered by electric energy and green hydrogen.
At the top of this range, we already have the hyperloop—a capsule comparable to a train within tunnels that can reach speeds faster than current airplanes, exceeding 1100 kilometers per hour. Although this may seem impossible to grasp today, the truth is that the ambition of hurtling between European cities at warp speed is no longer just an idea. In Germany, the TUM Hyperloop test track is fully certified for its first passenger rides. Their goal is to transport passengers from point A to point B at more than 800km/h. More recently, the European Hyperloop Centre in the Netherlands has also begun its first successful vehicle tests with promising results.
As car speeds become comparable to train speeds and train speeds approach those of airplanes, it is natural to expect significant advancements in air travel. Being one of the most polluting transports, the focus is now on making air travel more sustainable, with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, several solutions are being developed, including supersonic flights that could reduce the journey between New York and Paris to just 90 minutes.
By 2050, hydrogen and electricity will be the new fuels, with EasyJet already developing electric airplanes expected to be operational by 2030 for domestic and short-haul flights. Meanwhile, hydrogen could be the solution for intercontinental flights, with Airbus developing three new models.
However, merely changing airplanes’ fuel will not be sufficient to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness; it will also be necessary to optimize their design. In this context, KLM is already designing The Flying V, which is expected to be ready between 2030 and 2040, offering optimized occupancy capacity in addition to a new design that will allow a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.
Maritime Mobility: Electrification of Ships and Yachts
From the skies to the seas, ships used for logistics and distribution activities will also undergo an energy transition. In Norway, the Yara Birkeland is the first fully autonomous electric cargo ship, bringing us one step closer to the future. Yachts will not be exempt from this revolution, as Silent Yachts and Navier are already working on their electrification, promoting maritime mobility that is not only more sustainable but also quieter. These are some of the solutions we are likely to see by 2050, along with other applications for space utilization.
The Importance of Mobility in Today’s Sustainability Agenda
It is extremely relevant that mobility is at the forefront of today’s discussions. It is essential to bring real and concrete project examples to public debate, providing a glimpse into the future created by startups and innovation.
What makes these solutions more urgent is that they cannot be thought of in isolation because mobility is an ecosystem. There is an interdependence between the various parts, resulting in a great challenge in integrating the different concerns and incentives that exist and coexist within the ecosystem, as well as the needs and goals of every stakeholder.
Innovation projects focused on mobility need to aim for a just and inclusive transition that addresses inequalities, whether they are related to poverty, energy, or mobility within the city, driving socio-economic impacts, in addition to the sustainability aspects.
By 2050, mobility will bring the world closer, breaking down borders by being more autonomous, comfortable, safe, and efficient.
by Gustavo Magalhães, Director at Beta-i