Disrupting mobility

Journal article, 2017

Personal mobility is facing three major innovations that have disruptive potential: electrification, shared mobility and automation. In this perspective I present each of these on their own and look at their role in disrupting the auto industry, the transport system and energy system. The largest disruptive potential lies in the combination of these three innovations, i.e., in the shared autonomous electric vehicles (SAEV). While shared mobility per se might not have the potential to truly disrupt the transport system it is necessary to steer electrification and automation in a more sustainable direction. Technology and innovations alone will not be sufficient to create a new sustainable transportation system, regulations will also be necessary.