The EU Future Mobility Task Force has announced that it has launched a joint call to action aimed at positioning Europe as a global leader in transport innovation. The task force, consisting of 18 of Europe’s most influential private mobility companies and start-ups, presented a comprehensive six-page report outlining specific recommendations to propel Europe forward in transport innovation.
Mobility stands as a cornerstone of the European Union (EU), significantly impacting citizens’ lives and the economy. With 5.3% of all Europeans working in the sector, it contributes to 5% of the EU’s Gross Value Added. Recognising the missed opportunities of the past, the task force sees Europe at a pivotal moment, holding a unique opportunity to shape the future of mobility.
The joint efforts of the task force members aim not only to establish Europe as a leader in mobility innovation but also to uplift the entire European transport ecosystem. Addressing three key areas for improvement, the task force emphasises the importance of regulatory and market access, access to finance and citizen engagement.
Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean expressed her appreciation for the paper, highlighting Europe’s potential to lead in mobility innovation. She stated, “Europe has the potential to become a global leader in mobility innovation, we owe this to our citizens and to our economy’s competitiveness.”
The paper outlines three critical areas for the advancement of innovative mobility solutions. Firstly, regulatory and market access must be enhanced to create a truly unified single market for transport, fostering healthy competition and enabling start-ups to compete on equal footing with established players.
Secondly, access to finance is identified as crucial for the growth of mobility innovations. Europe is encouraged to overcome institutionalised risk aversion and leverage its capital markets to increase public investment and unlock private capital.
Finally, the task force underscores the importance of citizen engagement and policymaking. By involving users, regulators and innovators in decision-making processes, Europe can champion user-centric policies and demonstrate how innovative solutions can address challenges such as congestion, rising costs and CO2 emissions.