Roadmap for Future Mobility: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)

• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) holds the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Across the globe, nations are striving to transition towards clean fuels, and mobility is a critical aspect of this endeavor. While electric and other environmentally friendly modes of transportation have showcased the feasibility of such a shift, the focus must extend beyond mere vehicles. A sustainable mobility ecosystem necessitates resource sharing and principles of circularity, fostering increased utilization while catering to the diverse needs of commuters. Moreover, it must embody principles of equity and inclusivity to truly endure.

MaaS places sustainability at the forefront, emphasizing the optimization of each mode of transport to conserve resources and reduce emissions (Iberdrola, 2023). Various definitions of MaaS converge on a shared vision, centered on core ideas that define its philosophy and components (Bianchi Alves et al., 2021).

• Inefficiency of the classic mobility paradigm.
• Addressing inefficiencies through multimodal travel.
• Technology-driven single user interface, often utilizing smartphone apps.
• Empowering customers through a customer-centric paradigm shift.

Unlocking the Potential of Electric Mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS)

The emphasis on Electric Mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS) presents opportunities to enhance our collective comprehension of various facets of mobility transition, including vehicles, batteries, charging infrastructure, and ancillary services. A pivotal factor in driving eMaaS forward is the pivotal role played by battery technology. The demands placed on battery technology for MaaS services differ significantly from those for personal use vehicles. As electric vehicle battery technology continues to evolve, diverse applications for vehicle batteries are emerging, particularly in facilitating two-way interaction with the grid. This introduces additional demands that must be taken into account when designing batteries for vehicles.

Strategy for Unlocking MaaS Benefits for India

In India, the development of the MaaS ecosystem is still in its early stages. Discussing eMaaS is crucial at this juncture because it presents an opportunity to catalyze a technological leapfrog that benefits various stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, MaaS operators, aggregators, and others. Nevertheless, several barriers—technological, regulatory, and financial—must be addressed to facilitate the deployment of eMaaS as a service in India. Given the multi-dimensional nature of this challenge, a comprehensive approach is required to harness the synergies between Mobility as a Service and electric mobility, as well as the various trends surrounding these two aspects of mobility. Unlocking the benefits of this integration necessitates a five-pronged strategy that encompasses regulatory, financial, and technological domains. This holistic approach is essential for overcoming barriers and realizing the full potential of eMaaS in India.

Regulatory Approach:

To navigate the regulatory landscape effectively, a series of measures must be undertaken across various levels of governance in India, considering the complex governance structure. While some progress has been made in addressing regulatory gaps, further action is necessary from relevant authorities. These actions include:

•  Providing clarity on policy formulation, including regulatory frameworks for bike taxis and the deregulation of the passenger three-wheeler market. 
• Implementing integrated transport planning bolstered by a strong legal framework. 
• Fostering collaboration with electricity regulators to facilitate the expansion of public charging and battery swapping infrastructure. 
• Revising Development Control Regulations (DCR) to promote the utilization of charging infrastructure and clarifying ambiguous areas such as the definition of “common spaces.” Establishing low emission and ultra-low emission zones in urban areas to incentivize electric mobility, especially in shared transportation services.

Infrastructure and Technology Requirements:

Addressing infrastructure and technology needs is crucial to realizing the full potential of integrating electric vehicles into the MaaS framework.

• Ensure land availability by utilizing land banks and providing concessional land for charging infrastructure development.
• Establish a collaborative framework among stakeholders in the charging ecosystem, clearly defining roles and implementation methods.
• Promote technology integration by endorsing voluntary data sharing standards, fostering an open platform for data exchange.
• Facilitate financial integration into existing technology platforms to maximize the benefits of MaaS, emphasizing principles of openness, inclusivity, and data sovereignty.

Financial Integration:

The financial sector plays a pivotal role in unlocking the benefits of electric vehicle adoption, particularly in making them more financially viable compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, especially for larger form factors. Here are potential steps to consider in this direction:

• Expand benefits under the Scrappage Policy to incentivize commercial vehicle owners transitioning to electric vehicles.
• Implement interest subvention schemes to make financing more affordable for electric vehicle purchases, funded by a small levy on petrol and diesel sales.
• Establish a first-loss fund mechanism to mitigate risks for lenders and encourage increased lending for electric vehicle purchases.

These measures can help bridge the cost gap between electric and ICE vehicles, making electric mobility more accessible and attractive to consumers.

Source: cii