From E-Mobility to Autonomous driving
Global Automotive Trends
The automotive industry is undergoing a historic change globally. Driven by technological innovations, changes in customer behavior and increasing environmental regulations, trends are emerging that will have a lasting impact on the future of mobility.
Electrification: Advance of electromobility
The electrification of the powertrain is undisputedly the dominant trend. According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 17 million electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to be sold worldwide in 2024, an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous year.
The strongest growth is expected particularly outside the largest markets of China, Europe and the USA – which means that electric mobility is also gaining momentum in the rest of the world.
Especially in Europe and China, government subsidies, strict CO2 regulations and investments in charging infrastructures are leading to a boom in electric mobility. In the USA, too, the government has increased its support measures to strengthen the national e-car industry.
Manufacturers such as Tesla, BYD and Volkswagen rely on a broad portfolio of models to appeal to different target groups. At the same time, the industry is investing massively in the further development of battery technologies to increase ranges and reduce costs. Solid-state batteries promise higher energy densities and improved safety and are considered a promising next step.
Autonomous driving: vision or reality?
Autonomous driving remains one of the most ambitious goals of the automotive industry.
While the technology is making great strides in research and development, the road to widespread market adoption is still long. Level 4 and Level 5 systems, which can operate fully autonomously, have so far only been used in pilot projects such as robotaxi services from Waymo or Cruise in selected cities.
Regulatory uncertainties and high development costs are slowing down expansion. Nevertheless, experts see the future of urban traffic in the combination of autonomous systems with electric drives. Companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Nvidia are driving the integration of AI-powered driver assistance systems into production vehicles.
Sustainability and circular economy
The greening of production and the entire life cycle of vehicles is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers. In addition to the CO2 footprint of the vehicles themselves, sustainable materials and recycling are also coming into focus. For example, Volvo is focusing on climate-neutral production facilities by 2040 and is experimenting with materials such as recycled steel and vegan leather substitutes. Another aspect is the so-called second-life management for batteries, in which used batteries from electric vehicles are reused for stationary energy storage.
Digitalization and connected vehicles
Digitalization is revolutionizing not only vehicles, but also the way we use mobility. Connected vehicles equipped with 5G technology offer new opportunities such as over-the-air updates, personalized services, and intelligent traffic control. These developments are not only creating new revenue streams, but also creating opportunities for start-ups and tech companies that are increasingly partnering with traditional automakers.
Shared Mobility and Micro-Mobility
In view of changing urban structures and a growing acceptance of sharing models, concepts such as car sharing, ride-hailing and micro-mobility (e.g. e-scooters and e-bikes) are experiencing strong growth. Companies such as Uber, Lime and various car manufacturers are increasingly relying on these trends to diversify their market position. Especially in metropolises, shared mobility is increasingly replacing owning one’s own vehicle.
The automotive industry at a turning point
Electrification, autonomous driving, sustainability, digitalization and new mobility concepts are shaping a future that is both promising and challenging. To be successful, manufacturers must not only drive technological innovation, but also react flexibly to changing social and regulatory conditions. The next few years will be decisive for who can hold their own in the competition for the mobility of the future.