Skip to main content

Innovations in micro-vehicles will help boost mobility

Global congestion presents a serious barrier to economic growth. Some estimates suggest this costs the world economy close to US$1 trillion in lost revenue. However key economies including Europe, North America, Japan and China are amongst those preparing for green commuting. Some 16 of the key Automotive OEMs are working on more than 110 short distance vehicles, with approximately 50 models being already production ready. The remaining 60 are in concept stage, but expected to become production ready by 202
April 4, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Global congestion presents a serious barrier to economic growth. Some estimates suggest this costs the world economy close to US$1 trillion in lost revenue. However key economies including Europe, North America, Japan and China are amongst those preparing for green commuting. Some 16 of the key Automotive OEMs are working on more than 110 short distance vehicles, with approximately 50 models being already production ready. The remaining 60 are in concept stage, but expected to become production ready by 2020. The emergence of such micro-mobility vehicles is expected to fight congestion, ease parking space identification and aid in faster commutes in crowded city centres. These will primarily be used for commutes of 1.5-25km, but may be used for longer journeys of up to 72km. Over 70% of these unconventional mobility models are expected to be electric.

Frost & Sullivan is holding a web conference, entitled The Rise of a Next-Generation Sustainable Mobility, taking place on Tuesday, 17th April 2012, at 3 pm GMT. This will introduce key participants in the global market for micro mobility solutions and the models they are planning with vehicle characteristics such as speed, driving range, vehicle homologation and seating arrangements. It will also present insights into why global key OEMs have already invested more than $300 million in this market, as well as drivers and restraints related to current market dynamics.

Automotive OEMs will have to prepare for intense competition in an emerging segment while planning to offer an integrated mobility beyond cars. China is seen as a major market for such vehicles given its fast growing economy. It features many congested cities with narrow roads and a growing difficulty for parking.

Related Content

  • Continuing demand for construction machines
    March 13, 2012
    Corporate results from a series of equipment manufacturers for the early part of 2011 all seem to agree that demand for machines continues to improve.
  • Taming traffic in urban areas
    August 15, 2019
    The success of the motor car as a form of transport is also proving its undoing. In urban areas around the world, passenger cars clog the roads and add to air pollution. Reducing urban traffic congestion is being seen as a priority in many cities. French capital Paris has had a number of car-free days, which has more recently been replicated in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Looking ahead, the plan by Edinburgh’s local authority is to cut city centre traffic by 30% in 10 years. Congestion charging has bee
  • Safe road barrier innovations
    March 8, 2012
    New road barrier concepts offer major gains in highway safety.
  • Wacker Neuson record slight revenue drop in Q1 2013
    May 22, 2013
    The Wacker Neuson Group reported a slight drop in revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same three months of last year. The German construction equipment manufacturer says that a weak European economy was one of the main factors that dampened demand for light and compact construction equipment in Q1 2013. In addition, the Group’s strong performance in first quarter of 2012 is said to have resulted in an above-average baseline for comparison. At US$331.26 million (€257.1mn), Grou