 epitomises this idea. While its roots are within the ride-hailing sector, it has grown to become an all-encompassing sidekick to people who live in the region. The app allows users to hail a ride, order food, and make payments through its e-wallet system. Grab ventured into travel in 2019 when it announced a tie-up with hotel booking giants 

, and the company has confirmed plans to provide flight bookings in the near future.

 has launched a weekly subscription service dubbed Citymapper Pass, providing locals and visitors with unlimited access to trains, buses, trams, and Santander bikes, with plans to add cabs to the model’s top tier. Outside of the capital, 

Cabs.com is tackling the established order

 of Uber by partnering with taxi drivers to build a wide-reaching network. It looks to provide cabbies with financial freedom while offering riders comprehensive coverage across the UK. In Finland, meanwhile, 

 is an all-inclusive mobility service that combines access to Helsinki’s transport options through a single app, from public buses to private taxis to car rental platforms.

For those looking to travel farther than the next borough, 

 that compares bus, train, and flight fares, helping to simplify multi-stage journeys. It was designed to tackle the fragmented nature of travelling across Europe and offers a seamless way to plan, compare, and book different options.

Having started as a solution for a safer taxi experience in Malaysia, Grab is the dominant ride-sharing service in south-east Asia. Set on becoming an everyday super app – will it manage to cater to the digital economy set to triple to $240 billion in the next 7 years?

Grab: The hyperlocal power of South East Asia’s super app

While the division of the EU is a focus of the media, travellers still want an increasingly connected Europe – at least when it comes to transport. Omio is the travel aggregator transcending borders to allow people to compare bus, train and flight fares, with the aim of simplifying multi-stage journeys.

Omio: a Swiss Army knife for European travel booking

Renault has released the R17, a concept electric vehicle based on the 1971 Renault 17. With EV adoption facing challenges around the world, a number of auto manufacturers are blending nostalgia and sustainability by bringing retro-inspired designs to the electric vehicle market.

Renault concept EV blends nostalgia and sustainability

Tesla has launched the all-electric Giga Train in Germany, providing free rides between Erkner Station and Tesla Sud for employees and the public. This sustainable transit initiative emphasises the rising appeal and accessibility of greener transportation to a broader audience.

Tesla unveils first all-electric train in Germany

Trainline is transforming European rail travel by making it more affordable, culturally engaging and aligned with the growing demands for ‘slow travel’. Through innovative technology and strategic partnerships, the platform enhances accessibility and sustainability.

How Trainline accelerates Britons’ love for slow travel

Uber is trying everything in India – from flexible pricing and cheaper two-wheeler alternatives to switching to electric vehicles. The company achieved a goal of reaching a million drivers this year, but is this enough to keep pace and fend off competition in a robustly evolving mobility market?

How Uber keeps pace with India’s need for dynamic mobility

Once the undisputed ruler of the electric vehicle market, Tesla now faces intense competition and changing preferences. How is it adapting its strategies to maintain leadership? And can a combination of family-friendly vehicles and AI innovation counter ambivalence towards the brand’s founder?

How Tesla is targeting accessibility to stay relevant

Is car ownership a thing of the past? Are driverless cars the future of shared mobility? How will extreme weather impact public transport? In this chapter of Expert Outlook 2025, we speak to three experts about how technological, social, and environmental shifts are set to impact travel next year.

2025 Expert Outlook on Getting Around

British luxury carmaker Aston Martin has ventured into the world of fashion through a collaboration with BOSS. The partnership takes cues from the worlds of motorsport and premium apparel, courting existing luxury audiences who are shopping in alternative product categories.

Aston Martin x BOSS courts cross-category shoppers

Tesla's 'Dog Mode' was designed to offer in-car pet care during hotter months. However, the feature has come under scrutiny, with tests finding inconsistencies and reports of glitches during the summer season. As people look for pet support, trust in tailored offerings is central.

Tesla’s 'Dog Mode' glitch challenges automated car care

A report published by the EAFO has revealed widespread interest in electric vehicles. However, people are concerned with charging infrastructure, providing brands in the auto space with an opportunity to meet audience needs and boost brand salience through charging networks.

EAFO report flags up ongoing EV charging challenges

Lime is entering Japan’s growing e-scooter market, competing against homegrown startup Luup. Even as uptake has slowed among other countries, Japan’s micromobility market is expanding, with companies having to adhere to strict governmental regulations that address safety concerns. 

Lime e-scooters enter the Japanese micromobility market

The EU has announced plans to reduce tariffs on Tesla EVs made in China while maintaining higher tariffs on other Chinese EVs. According to ING, this risks slowing the push to net zero, pointing to the complex relationship between people’s financial concerns, desire for convenience and ethics.

Fluctuating EV cost in Europe reveals dwindling interest

Melbourne has become the latest major city to ban e-scooters, citing frequent resident complaints about safety and cleanliness as reasons. Despite the controversy, there's still a need for micromobility solutions and infrastructure that make sense for city life. 

Tensions rise between mobility hackers and city halls

Waymo has announced plans to begin testing fully autonomous vehicles on freeways in San Francisco in August of 2024, pointing to a growing normalization of driverless cars. As more driverless vehicles begin to fill roads, it remains to be seen whether more drivers will adopt the technology.

Waymo expands driverless cars to San Fran freeways

Southwest Airlines is teaming up with ten content creators to appeal to Gen Z shoppers on social media. As young people increasingly rely on social media for purchase decisions, they want brands to partner with creators who can authentically represent their products beyond the price tag.

Southwest Airlines sets sights on Gen Z social shoppers

NIU, a Chinese luxe e-scooter brand, is speeding ahead of the market with its award-winning designs. With e-scooters becoming popular to both the eco- and cost-conscious, NIU proves that safety and the ability to customise are key in courting new scooter fans – especially Gen Z.

How NIU scooters drive personalised eco-travel in China

With about 663,000 Australians confronting mobility challenges, the Australian wayfinding app BindiMaps answers to those with accessibility needs by navigating indoor spaces. Inclusivity-driven, it deepens customer convenience by providing built-in accessible text, audio, maps, routes, and more.

How BindiMaps helps Aussies find ways to public autonomy

Offering a compelling combination of space, technology, and fuel efficiency, the Ford Puma is thriving among cost-conscious Britons. With many people purchasing based on practicality and affordability, the SUV’s dominance highlights the importance of understanding the needs of the everyday driver.

How utility drives the success of the Ford Puma in Britain

A Mercedes partnership will add DC fast chargers to 100 Starbucks along Interstate 5, the main north-south highway on America's west coast. As EVs transform how we 'refuel', people will seek new ways to spend charging time, turning brief gas station stops into longer, more meaningful experiences.

Mercedes-Benz and Starbucks expand EV charging network

HNWIs are looking for heightened levels of luxury throughout their purchasing journey. Offering them slower and more indulgent in-person experiences has become key to winning them over. Tapping into this and pivoting further upmarket, Jaguar has opened the first of its boutique stores.

Jaguar stores tap HNWIs' love of slow experiences

Jaguar is planning to end its production of petrol and diesel vehicles and move to an all-electric line-up. It will replace its old models with new ones with improved technology and design, providing high-quality, sustainable transport options that seek to ease concerns around EVs' performance.

Jaguar prepares for a new all-electric era

The EV brand Zeekr has been edging out Tesla in the brand’s home turf of China, thanks to its focus on sleek modernity and efficiency. Zeekr’s rapid output and practical functionality deliver new features to Chinese car-seekers that simultaneously drive patriotic purchases and the local workforce.

How Zeekr shifts the EV gear toward Chinese identity

Citroën’s new campaign shows revolutionaries stealing ë-C3s from an aristocratic 18th-century party to drive home the message that 'Electric is no longer for the elite'. With the cost of living influencing eco priorities, Citroën is aiming to offer a new narrative around environmental purchases.

Citroën uses a revolutionary message to promote ë-C3s

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has partnered with UNESCO to promote ocean conservation at the 37th America's Cup. This collaboration highlights people's increasing expectations for brands and sports to protect the environment and raise awareness about marine protection issues.

Luna Rossa Prada becomes UNESCO's ocean ambassador

Australians in urban centres spend approximately an hour commuting daily, depending on which major city they live in. With the rise in the cost of living, changes in hybrid working options, and emphasis on ‘greener’ commuting choices, how and how long people commute daily is evolving.

Australian public transport faces a crisis – how are Aussies coping?

Even though most cities have textured sidewalks to help blind individuals navigate the busy streets, they lack one thing – indicators for businesses and services so that navigators know what shop they're at. But in Peru, this is changing with SightWalks, which gives greater autonomy to blind people.

SightsWalks offer simple inclusivity with tactile tiles

Lowriding has a rich history in the United States but is a sector traditionally dominated by men, with women often relegated to being passengers or handling admin roles in lowriding car clubs. But Latine women are shaking up lowrider culture, establishing their presence at the forefront of the scene.

Who are the new female Latine lowriders?

Increasingly, young people are opting for convenience and efficiency in their transport, and the app Hiyacar provides the perfect solution. By enabling people to rent out private vehicles, the start-up leverages the sharing economy to offer personal transport for Britons with car commitment issues. 

How HiyaCar found new routes to car ownership in the UK

Bentley Motors epitomises British luxury, blending heritage with innovation to thrive in a changing world. Through hyper-personalisation and exclusive brand offerings, it has maintained its positioning at the forefront of luxury motoring despite worldwide economic uncertainty.

How Bentley drives hyper-personalisation for HNWIs

Car buying is becoming increasingly unaffordable for Gen Zers, particularly for those without help from the bank of Mum and Dad. As this group grows disenfranchised, there is fertile scope for brands to serve the needs of this group, inviting them back into the conversation.

What Gen Zers want from their car shopping experience

The number of EV chargers in California is slowly catching up to the number of gas stations, pointing to a turning point for a major barrier to EV adoption. While charging infrastructure is improving, consumers are still looking for innovation to help make EV charging frictionless and efficient.

California's EV chargers point to mass adoption

With a growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), more people are opting for used EVs to combat higher prices. But what other factors are encouraging consumers to purchase pre-owned EVs? And how can brands further tap into buyers who are looking to go electric at an affordable price?

What’s encouraging people to buy pre-owned battery EVs?

Lack of funds and mishandling of public infrastructure have led to the privatisation of beaches in Lagos, Nigeria. As global warming and the climate crisis intensify, brands have an opportunity to tackle environmental issues and appeal to consumers who want to take breaks in nature.

Beaches in Lagos are being privatised

Electric vehicles are becoming a popular, greener alternative to gas-powered cars. But even with falling prices, tax incentives, and carmakers reaching entry-level buyers, barriers to mass adoption persist. How are brands and government incentives encouraging American drivers to switch to EVs?

What are the challenges faced by American EV buyers?

Ultra-low-cost carriers offer a no-frills experience at very low fares and charge mercilessly for ancillary services. With consumers more willing to splurge on travel, demand for premium cabins has gone up. How can budget airlines keep up when people increasingly see travel as an indulgent treat?

How can budget airlines win back value-conscious travelers?

Climate change is a leading issue and the UK government has committed to a net zero emissions pledge by 2050. To reach it, voters must also take action and need political parties to support them. But in economically unstable times, how can political parties mobilise Gen Z voters?

How do UK voters feel about climate policy?

As part of an attempt to change China’s title as the world’s biggest polluter and bridge the say-do gap in EV adoption, homegrown brands are working double time to make innovation as accessible as possible. BYD rises to the top of this list, overtaking Tesla’s dominance in the eco-driving market.

How BYD speeds up Chinese drivers’ access to green vehicles

Toyota has announced a 60% discount on its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan as hydrogen fuel prices skyrocket in California. Although people claim they’re keen to make big lifestyle changes to help the environment – including spending more money – the intention-action gap remains for many.

Toyota slashes price of hydrogen EVs to boost adoption

The University of Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) is set to test-run an eco-friendly bike-sharing app for students. As eco-conscious consumers remain committed to making sustainable everyday choices, there's an opportunity for brands to enhance transparency and active participation.

Philippine university pilots an eco-bicycle sharing app

In the Philippines, rising prices, traffic, and inefficient modes of public transportation take out a big chunk of commuters’ precious time every day. To cope, Filipinos exhibit resilience through organised online communities, humour, and alternative ways to get around the city.

How Filipinos navigate poor public transport through community

Rental e-bikes, e-scooters, and cars are rapidly becoming part of many Britons’ day-to-day routines. What’s driving them to choose these shared mobility services – and do they prefer them to owning their own vehicle? Canvas8 spoke to eight people in the UK to find out. 

What’s driving Britons towards shared mobility services?

Despite car ownership being a key marker of the American lifestyle, shared services are booming thanks to a desire for affordable and low-maintenance transport options. Canvas8 spoke to eight people from across the US to find out why they opt for e-bikes, scooters, and ride-hailing apps.

What’s driving Americans towards shared mobility services?

Research has revealed that Gens Y and Z are more prone to aggressive driving accidents than older generations. Driven in part by elevated levels of anxiety among younger people, automakers and brands in this space have an opportunity to help limit stressful driving conditions.

Gens Y and Z are suffering from road rage in the US

Have we reached the watershed moment for EV adoption? How are shared mobility services shaping the lives of urbanites? What does it take to get people to switch to more innovative or sustainable travel methods? What are people’s expectations from exclusive travel experiences?

Getting Around Sector Snapshot: February 2024

With innovation rapidly advancing in the luxury travel industry, people are seeking more exclusive journeys that can deliver a unique experience beyond arrival at the final destination. Whether travelling by air, land, or rail, brands that cater to growing lifestyle changes without compromising on quality are gaining the favour of eco-conscious luxury travellers.

Exclusive Journeys

People are open to adopting more innovative or sustainable travel methods – but they want brands to ensure they address the pain points around them first. As a result, people are looking for human and user-centric approaches to make their transport experiences as smooth as possible.

Smooth Rides

With high costs and sustainability ethics making vehicle ownership increasingly unachievable, shared transport has become an attractive option – both for affordability and regarding future-facing green strategies.

Shared Services

Innovation and falling costs are causing electric vehicles to finally emerge as an achievable reality for more people than ever. Increased battery capacity, stronger charging infrastructure, cheap yet reliable options, and novelty offerings are opening up the world of more sustainable transport.

EV-olution

P&O Cruises is enticing travellers with a promise of both new connections and quality time with loved ones. Following an uptick in both loneliness and a post-pandemic revenge travel mindset, people are increasingly looking for maximalist experiences that can also facilitate relationship building.

P&O Cruises prioritises connection and quality time

Data shows that China’s BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the top EV manufacturer globally. With APAC shaping up to be the next battleground for EV dominance, brands need to strike a balance between accessibility and premiumisation when courting customers from emerging markets.

China's BYD beats Tesla in global EV race

Consumer electronics brand Xiaomi is launching its first electric car with the unveiling of the SU7. The brand is taking a ‘human-centric’ approach that aims to mesh the in-car UX with the experience of its smartphone users, creating a point of difference as battery technology and range improve.

Xiaomi takes a human centric approach to EVs

Safety first! Creatara’s two-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) are winning among fast-paced Indian Gen Zers with their innovative designs, security guarantees, and customisation options. Will its efforts be able to keep up with, or even help, India’s EV push, and what does this mean for other brands?

Why Creatara accelerates EV safety for Indian Gen Zers

Veuve Clicquot and Belmond have teamed up to curate a selection of exclusive train journeys across three continents aimed at HNWIs. Amid an economic crisis, the collaboration highlights how brands are catering to a subset of the luxury demographic via unique and sustainable travel experiences.

Veuve Clicquot and Belmond cater to luxury eco-travel

Growth in Electric Vehicle sales continues to outpace combustion vehicles in India despite a slowdown. Indeed, EVs are becoming a status symbol for those in India’s major cities and smaller towns; the challenge for brands will be adapting to a market typically focussed on affordability.

Electric two-wheelers are status symbols in India

The Japanese automaker has announced plans to enter the Thai EV market by kickstarting domestic production of its e:N1 model. As more vehicle owners in Thailand look to pivot to electric alternatives, they’ll be looking for brands that can balance premium quality with affordability.

Honda takes aim at Thailand’s growing appetite for EVs

EVs are reshaping UK car culture, moving from nostalgia to digital integration. Rapid tech advances lead to obsolescence concerns while shifting ownership models and advanced in-car features redefine the driving experience and consumer relationships. How can brands fuel loyalty in this dynamic era?

The dawn of a digital driving era in the UK

Starbucks has opened electric vehicle charging stations along the thousand-mile stretch between Denver and Seattle as part of its partnership with Volvo. With range anxiety acting as a barrier to EV adoption, brands are stepping in to improve national infrastructure and quell these concerns.

Starbucks enters the EV business with charging points

In the UK, TravelWest’s Birthday Bus Pass is a transport initiative offering residents free bus travel during the month of their birthday. Launched in August 2023, it’s the first intervention of its kind in the country that increases passenger numbers and encourages behavioural change.

How Birthday Bus Passes get Britons travelling

Motortaxi-hailing platform Angkas is widely recognised in the Philippines for being attuned to what its consumers want – from affordable transportation solutions to amusing moment marketing. How did they achieve their unique position amid several transportation crises in the country?

How Angkas beats the traffic with pop culture humour

Though many Australians own more than one car, the cost of living is challenging people to rethink their household spend. A new campaign from Uber Carshare is tapping into the appetite for multiple cars within one household, while also acknowledging rising costs and offering a flexible alternative. 

Uber Carshare makes ‘second cars’ more affordable

A survey has found that half of Americans plan to spend money on travel this holiday season. The holidays are gearing up to be a busy time for getaways, meaning people will be looking to brands and services for support with more seamless processes – especially after the disruption of 2022.

Americans want seamless holiday travel experiences

Any Wear, Anywhere is a service from Japan Airlines that allows passengers to rent clothes for their trip to Japan. Offering twin benefits of sustainability and hyper-convenience, it motivates people to make more sustainable choices by fitting into and serving busy, time-poor urban lifestyles.

Why Japan Airlines is renting clothes to travellers

The autonomous vehicle market is expanding rapidly, and ‘driverless taxis’ now roam the streets of North America, piquing the interest of tech-savvy city-goers who are switching up their transportation routines. Can the San Francisco-based app ‘Cruise’ prove that this is more than a passing fad?

Cruise: driverless taxis for the modern city dweller

The rise of remote working is reshaping cities, raising debates about the long-term consequences for public transport, urban amenities, and cognitive labour. Canvas8 spoke to Libby Sander, an internationally renowned expert on the workplace, about how new work realities could transform cities.

Libby Sander on future of work in post-pandemic cities

E-mobility is arriving in Kenya on two wheels. Motorbike taxis, or boda bodas, are going electric in a bid to reduce air pollution and prompt EV adoption among the urban majority. How are Kenyan start-ups solving local issues, and what can they teach us about sustainable design?

How Kenya is kickstarting Africa’s e-mobility revolution

Can EV infrastructure support mainstream breakthroughs? How will return-to-office policies affect public transit? And could local interventions support green mobility in neighbourhoods? In this chapter of the 2024 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how people will get around next year.

2024 Expert Outlook on Getting Around

Getting Around

People are using all-in-one tools to get around

The success of transport services such as Citymapper, Trainline, and Waze was built upon the convenience they offered when planning trips. But as phones have become overloaded with apps and urban transit options have expanded, ‘Swiss Army knife’ platforms are winning people over by combining route-planning, ride-hailing, and simplified payments.

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