What are the three most significant mobility patterns to watch before 2030?

Any crisis serves as a trigger for existing transformations to accelerate. There are a few examples that stand out from the many that support this thesis, such as the energy revolution and, in particular, the change away from combustion engines to plug-in vehicles following three unique trends:

· Mobility would most certainly look and sound as it did before the pandemic soon. There is no other option but to learn to live with the virus and its side effects. It's all about figuring out what works best for you. Trends in mobility are largely driven by the economy, thanks to economic packages from different governments. It would support economic growth, resulting in higher job rates and a greater need to commute. Our need for social interaction as well as travel is another factor influencing the trend. The use of public transportation will resume. The past few months have shown that the age of electric mobility is about to begin this decade. As part of the effort to combat climate change and promote cleaner mobility, manufacturers have planned dozens of new product releases. Policymakers have accelerated the transition by setting emission limits and promoting electric vehicles.

· In Europe, plug-ins now account for about 20% of new vehicles, while in China, about 9%. The US will also follow suit. The UK has revealed its ten-year mobility targets. Several manufacturers are on track to deliver affordable, long-range, and environmentally-friendly electric vehicles by 2030. Plugs at home and work are becoming more common, and quick charging along routes is becoming more common.

· By 2030, we will have a better awareness of how automation will make life simpler for all of us, such as getting into a cab without a driver or having groceries delivered to our front door by robots. As a result, the idea has a lot of market potential, as it can help cities reduce traffic and improve quality of life.

The pandemic has altered how we communicate with our customers and coworkers. It has marked the beginning of the video conferencing period. Is corporate travel nearing its end?

Business travel is one sector where we might see a major shift in mobility behaviors. The pandemic compelled companies to integrate online resources into their activities. It compelled clients and workers to learn how to take advantage of them. Many businesses realized that there was no risk of lost efficiency or significant cost savings. Physical meetings are always necessary. They are just a more efficient way to connect and create trust.

We will find a balance between the two worlds in the future. When things return to normal, we will travel much less for business purposes. In general, flying will soon return to pre-crisis levels.

Do you believe we've hit the maximum of oil demand, and that it will ever rebound to pre-pandemic levels?

With mobility accounting for the lion's share of oil demand, global oil demand will peak before 2030. The next 2-3 years will be all about economic growth, which might lead to new peaks in global oil demand, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Electric vehicles would gradually become more prevalent, putting pressure on oil consumption in Europe first, then China and the United States, and finally the rest of the world.

Road transportation is on track to hit net-zero standards, thanks to how quickly electric vehicles are emerging. We've recently seen more net-zero promises is because of this increased visibility as a major contributor to climate change. As a result of the geopolitical change, this move would have major ramifications beyond the auto and oil industries. The petro-nations will lose their importance.

Dubai's recent announcement of its 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on sustainable and versatile modes of transportation to promote economic activity, is one example of the region's commitment to circular economies.

We continue to introduce clients to ideas that will change the way we live tomorrow through our next-generation investing philosophy, which focuses on catching megatrends.

Julius Baer is especially proud of our founding relationship with the FIA Formula E World Championship, which represents a major investment in the future of society.

The result is a fantastic forum that allows us to build and participate in discussions about transportation innovation, energy change, smart cities, sustainability, and future investment trends.