Affordable Energy & Mobility for All: Pathways in the Sustainable Transition

Kurzfassung

The presentation is on three statements on the session title "Affordable Energy & Mobility for All: Pathways in the Sustainable Transition". The presentation is an impulse to the following discussion we had during the conference. Sustainable transport systems reduce overall system costs relative to a business-as-usual pathway. Declining battery costs lower the investment required for electrification, while reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels decreases exposure to volatile international energy markets. Additional benefits arise from lower environmental and health externalities and from stronger integration with the energy system, enabling flexibility services and positive spillovers across sectors. When these factors are assessed from a whole-system perspective, sustainable transport can deliver economic advantages that extend beyond direct fuel and vehicle costs. Sustainable transport and energy systems can enhance economic resilience and system stability. Greater reliance on domestic energy resources and electricity reduces dependence on imported fuels and associated geopolitical risks. At the same time, diversified supply chains, a broader range of technology providers, and more heterogeneous business models strengthen robustness against external shocks. Electrification and sector coupling can also reduce short-term vulnerabilities by increasing operational flexibility. Overall, these characteristics contribute to a more stable and adaptable transport-energy system under uncertain future conditions. Energy economists have a critical responsibility in guiding the transition towards sustainable transport and energy systems. This requires transparent and clear communication of evidence, the development and coordination of open and multidisciplinary system models, and rigorous assessment of distributional impacts across heterogeneous households. Analyses should explicitly account for import dependencies, domestic structural effects, and interactions between transport and energy sectors. By adopting integrated system perspectives, economists can provide policymakers with more robust insights into costs, resilience, equity, and long-term welfare outcomes.