Reimagining cities with sustainable mobility

In today’s world, cities face significant challenges in terms of congestion, pollution and sustainability. As environmental awareness increases, finding innovative solutions to transform urban mobility has become a top priority. Electrification of mobility, micromobility and decarbonization are key catalysts in the reimagining of our cities. They are redesigning not only how we move around, but also the quality of life in the heart of the city.

One of the most notable aspects of the transformation toward sustainability in many cities is the rapid electrification of mobility. Electric vehicles have evolved from a novel concept to a common sight on urban streets. The transition to electric vehicles not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also lowers air pollution, thus improving the quality of life for city residents.

The vehicle charging infrastructure is also evolving to accommodate the growing fleet of electric vehicles. The number of fast-charging points is increasing, allowing for faster battery recharges and eliminating concerns about battery life. The integration of charging points into existing urban infrastructure, such as street lamps and signposts, is making charging electric vehicles as easy and accessible as parking. In this regard, Carlos Bermudez, Manager of Electric Mobility Business Development at Repsol, points out that “public charging points should be strategically located in both urban and interurban areas, where people already stop to refuel.”

As we work towards more sustainable cities, we must recognize the potential of micromobility as a valuable contributor to this transition. This new way of getting around has burst onto the scene, and is transforming the way we move around our cities. Electric bicycles and scooters have gained popularity as personal transportation options, offering an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional modes of transport.

The advantage of micromobility lies in its ability to plug the gaps in public transport routes and provide an effective solution to traffic congestion. These options are also ideal for short trips, and help reduce our dependence on cars for journeys that can easily be covered by more sustainable methods. The introduction of bike and electric scooter renting systems in cities has made these modes of transport more accessible to a much wider audience.

And not just for citizens. An increasing number of companies are recognizing the importance of electrified micromobility. In addition to motorcycles, bikes and scooters, small cars are quickly gaining prominence. “In 2023 we partnered with e-Mobility Rentals, in Romania, to increase the number of electric vehicles used to carry Glovo orders. Thanks to this initiative there are now more than 60 electric vehicles in the city of Bucharest”, explains Sébastien Pellion, director of Social Impact and Sustainability at Glovo.

“In Barcelona, we are collaborating with Barcelona Global and other citizen groups, to develop projects that promote public-private partnerships in the field of sustainable mobility. In Croatia, we have been working together with our external fleet suppliers, to make it easier for them to access European Next-Gen funds. This has enabled them to electrify their vehicle fleets and significantly increase the number of orders delivered with vehicles with no carbon emissions. This success story has led us to apply the same strategy with our network of providers. In Kenya, where we work with freelance delivery couriers, we have conducted a pilot project in collaboration with M-kopa, a financing company, and ROAM, an electric vehicle company, to offer access facilities for electric vehicles,” he mentions by way of example.

Decarbonization, the key to everything

Decarbonization is the key to addressing climate change and making cities more sustainable. The electrification of mobility is a key element in this process. It is vital to know where that electricity is coming from. Cities are working to ensure that their charging infrastructure is powered by renewable energy sources, which will reduce the carbon footprint of transport even more.

“Electric mobility is one of the fundamental pillars for cities to meet their decarbonization goals”, says Juan Garrigosa, director of Public Administrations at Endesa X.

As well as using electric vehicles, decarbonization implies reducing dependence on fossil fuels in other urban transport options, such as buses and trains. Implementing cleaner and more efficient technologies in public transport is essential for achieving truly sustainable cities. Indeed, Endesa has designed an electric bus for this very purpose. In this regard, Garrigosa notes that “consolidating urban public transport using the e-Bus is completely transforming the way millions of people move around in Spain.”

Regarding decarbonization, Pellion points out that “at Glovo, we have developed a roadmap for a 42% reduction of our carbon emissions by 2030. This ambitious goal is based on five pillars: eliminating single-use plastics, electrifying vehicle fleets, reducing food waste, logistics efficiency and responsible use of our resources. Our goals have been validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) to ensure they are realistic, objective and accountable”, he adds.

He also points out that their company has created the Impact Fund, a unique initiative within the industry where a small percentage of the profit from each order goes towards funding Impact and Sustainability projects. “This way we are not only funding our sustainability projects, but we are also making sure that as we grow, the positive impact we have will grow too,” he says.

Technology in urban transformation

Technology is playing a key role in the convergence of electrification, micromobility and decarbonisation. Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are being used to optimize traffic management, reduce waiting times and improve the efficiency of public transport systems.

Mobile applications provide real-time information on transport options, making it easier for citizens to make informed and sustainable decisions. In the field of delivery, for example, technologies help improve efficiency by establishing shorter routes or grouping multiple orders into a single route (known as bundle orders), so that both delivery workers and users save time.

Connectivity is also driving the development of self-driving vehicles, which have the potential to revolutionize urban mobility. These vehicles can improve traffic efficiency, reduce accidents and lower the need for parking spaces, freeing up valuable space in cities.

Connectivity also allows users to make more informed decisions regarding environmentally friendly services. For instance, Glovo offers customers the option to select whether or not they want cutlery in their orders- “This allows users to make conscious decisions about the use of disposable plastics,” explains the company’s director of Social Impact and Sustainability. This initiative has resulted in the avoidance of 117 tons of plastic waste and 1,541 tons of organic material (such as napkins or chopsticks). In the same vein, “the company is developing new features in the application to provide detailed information on the type of packaging used to ship each product and order. This will enable users to make more informed and sustainable decisions regarding the food they order, as they will be aware of the type of packaging they will receive.