Introduction

Sustainable mobility

About

The EU is making sustained efforts to tackle the climate crisis by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. While technological developments are necessary, consumer behaviour and choices are make-or-break factors for the success of these efforts. The problem is that consumers are locked into a mobility system that fundamentally depends on fossil fuels.

That is why BEUC advocates to make sure consumers can break out of fossil-fuelled mobility. We stress the need for a range of policy actions to ‘green’ the way we move about on our daily business. In the automotive sector, we advocate for affordable electric cars that are convenient to charge. We also see a need to improve consumer information which requires a reform of the EU car label at the point of sale – whether that is in a dealership or online.

Not everyone has, wants, or can afford a car. Beyond the automotive sector BEUC calls on policymakers to improve long-distance rail and public transport connections. This includes making it easier for people to combine different operators or types of transport (say, a train and a bus) on a single ticket. While a lot of attention goes to technological solutions, it is of course crucial to promote cycling and walking – the greenest forms of transport.

We also see a role for – fair – price signals that can spur these developments. As we witness a global trend towards carbon pricing, we ask decision-makers to pay particular attention to the needs of different socio-economic and geographic groups of consumers.

While environmental considerations form a major part of our mobility work, we also note digital innovations in the mobility sector. Increased automation and Internet-connected features pose a whole new set of questions regarding liability, safety, data protection, fair competition and more. In light of digital hype, BEUC has been calling for sectoral legislation on car data