Autonomous mobility is not just a technology project. It is a lever for society. Autonomous mobility is not just a technology project. When effectively integrated into the existing transport system, it can help develop mobility services and support societal objectives such as inclusion, road safety, and more efficient use of vehicles and urban space. Studies and transport simulations also indicate that electric, shared ridepooling can contribute to reducing transport related emissions under certain conditions. Since 2019, MOIA has been demonstrating in Hamburg how trips can be bundled efficiently and intelligently with its ridepooling service. Today, MOIA is working to deploy autonomous mobility.
Autonomous Mobility: How MOIA Creates Societal Value
Autonomous Mobility as a Leverto Reduce Transport Emissions
According to the European Environment Agency, the transport sector accounts for around 22 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. Across the EU, the share is close to 30 percent, with the majority stemming from road transport. While industry and the energy sector have succeeded in lowering emissions, transport emissions have stagnated for years.
As an electric, shared service integrated into public transport, autonomous ridepooling can contribute to reducing transport related emissions under suitable conditions. The scale of this effect depends on factors including vehicle utilization, fleet size, empty mileage, modal shift, and the broader transport policy framework. (Source: MOIA Germany Simulation)
Electric, shared ridepooling can affect car use, overall vehicle mileage, and emissions when combined with broader changes to the transport system. The MOIA accompanying research conducted by KIT and TUM examines these relationships across different future mobility scenarios for Hamburg.
In the most ambitious scenario analyzed, which combines a significantly expanded autonomous ridepooling service with changes to the conditions governing private car use, the model indicates reductions in the share of private car trips, overall vehicle mileage, and CO₂ emissions. The results therefore demonstrate the potential of an integrated approach rather than a guaranteed effect of autonomous vehicles alone. Thanks to the 24/7 availability of autonomous mobility services, vehicles can be deployed flexibly based on demand, operate at higher frequency, and become a compelling alternative to private car ownership.
A scientific simulation on the future development of mobility in Hamburg by KIT and TUM on the future development of mobility in Hamburg indicates that transport related CO₂ emissions could decrease in ambitious scenarios combining significantly expanded ridepooling with broader changes to the transport system.
The simulation results indicate that electric, shared ridepooling, when integrated into the wider transport system, has the potential to reduce transport related emissions under suitable conditions.
More Livable Cities: Fewer Cars, More Space
According to mobility studies, private cars remain unused for around 90 to 95 percent of their lifetime while occupying public or private parking space, especially in large cities. Across Europe, various initiatives are addressing this issue. In Amsterdam, for example, 11,200 parking spaces are set to be removed by 2025 to make room for sidewalks, cycling infrastructure, and green spaces.
This is exactly where autonomous ridepooling comes into play. Because shared mobility services can help meet mobility demand using a commonly used vehicle fleet. The impact on the number of vehicles and the amount of space required depends on utilization, occupancy, and the modes of transport that are replaced.
Ridepooling therefore complements public transportation effectively, enabling users to combine different modes of transport within a single journey.
