Future.
“We need more mobility and less traffic”
14.06.2023
Europe’s climate legislation aims to make us climate neutral by 2050. For this to happen, we need to rethink our mobility and change our behaviour relatively quickly. How can policies and technology help us do that? Four experts in mobility discussed this at Mobility’s latest conference of delegates.
The guests
Barbara Schaffner, GLP National Councillor, Member of the Transport Committee, Physicist
Prof Dr Merla Kubli, Assistant Professor Managing Climate Solutions at the Institute of Economics and Ecology, HSG
Simon Kettner, Head of the Mobility Strategy Department, Canton of Basel-Stadt
Hans Fischer, Co-founder of Solar Manager and author of Technikblog
More electric propulsion, fewer cars, and innovative solutions such as car sharing – our mobility must change. This also requires new ways of behaving. The fact is, however, that the number of vehicles is growing, with significantly more combustion-powered vehicles than electric cars on the road. Car sharing is popular in urban centres, but less so in rural communities, where many households have one or more cars.
But why is that? Part of it is down to our habitual behaviour, which we don’t like to change. Giving up your own car or switching to an electric one means having to plan ahead and perhaps no longer having a parking space on the doorstep. Also, cycling or walking is too big an adjustment for those leading busy, hectic lives. So what will it take to get the mobility transition under way? One way is through policy interventions. Someone with particular knowledge of this is Barbara Schaffner, GLP National Councillor and member of the Parliamentary Transport Committee.
New urban planning for shorter distances
Simon Kettner’s job finds him focusing on Canton Basel-Stadt’s mobility strategy; as such, he brought the urban perspective to the panel discussion. He is also convinced that distances need to be shortened again: “If I can go shopping around the corner on foot, that’s better than if I have to drive to the industrial area.” But he can’t see everyone suddenly taking up walking. “Mobility means being able to meet my needs in a way that suits me. We still want to be able to travel to work in comfort, go shopping or to the cinema and visit friends – it’s only natural. We even need more mobility, but less traffic.” Kettner explains the apparent contrast: “Transport consists of vehicles that consume resources, energy and land. Mobility should consist of other concepts that can replace the private car. A shared car still takes up too much space. But it can replace ten privately owned cars and save space. That makes sense.” After all, “Cars will continue to exist and they are entitled to make individual journeys. But they should be used more efficiently, plus they should be fewer in number and electrified.”
Innovative concepts such as car sharing are successful, particularly in urban centres. However, the solution also has to be found in rural areas and conurbations, says Simon Kettner “There, too, we have to rethink the means of transport.” In order to push ahead with new mobility concepts in rural areas, more start-up financing and partnerships with municipalities and companies will probably be needed, as Mobility demonstrates. In rural areas in particular, reaching the necessary density of users isn’t easy. But this way, schemes could at least be developed in order to gather experience. “If everything works out, people might get rid of their own cars and the subsidies will no longer be necessary.”
First experiences are hugely important
Prof. Merla Kubli works on the topic of experience. She conducts research into user behaviour with new technologies and knows that changing one’s behaviour is best when it requires little effort and makes sense for us in terms of time or money. When all’s said and done, however, it often comes down to how user-friendly the new systems – charge points, plugs, smart solutions, etc. – are. “When people try out an e-car for the first time and encounter charging problems at public charge points, this can be very off-putting.” The purpose behind a technology can also motivate people: Smart charging, for example, in which you only charge an electric car when it serves the grid and there is a lot of electricity in the grid, is not primarily a customer need, but rather brings benefits through the stabilization of the electricity grid. That’s why it’s important to communicate well and highlight the opportunities for everyone: “For example: With an upswing in electromobility, millions of potential solar storage systems will soon be rolling on Swiss roads. Let’s use them!”
Reducing anxiety
Hans Fischer, co-founder of Solar Manager AG and the blogger behind Technikblog, has been test driving and writing about e-cars for some six years. He, too, knows how important good communication is to break down prejudices: “The question is always: How long can I drive until I have to charge my car or maybe stop on the road? These fears have to be countered with a great deal of educational work.” Fortunately, the charging plugs are now mostly standardized. Adding to the complexity, however, is a glut of charge point manufacturers. “It may take another two or three years before we have a uniform, good solution.”
Fortunately, we have already achieved something, according to Hans Fischer. “Last year’s steep increases in electricity prices have made people conscious of the energy they’re using and the price they’re paying. What can I do with the electricity? How can I save it? Where does it come from?” This new feeling for the subject is the most important step in the right direction.
Mobility Cooperative:
Annual meeting of delegates
Mobility is entered in the Commercial Register of Zug as a Mobility Cooperative. It came about in 1997 through the merger of two cooperatives, ATG AutoTeilet Genossenschaft and ShareCom, both of which were founded in 1987. The delegates act on behalf of the cooperative members of their section and represent them at the annual conference of delegates. This year, for the first time, the conference included a panel discussion featuring external experts debating mobility.
Further information on the cooperative structure is available here.