Austria`s highly developed and innovative mobility market is deeply interlinked with German OEMs. In the automotive industry alone, most vehicles produced worldwide contain Austrian components. In total, 800 automotive companies, including 80+ specialized start-ups, a variety of research facilities, clusters, and competence centers, are helping to shape the future of mobility in Austria and the world.
Technological progress, the decarbonization of the transport system, urbanization, an influential younger generation, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, are driving increased Austrian requirements for smart mobility and transport systems of the future. These trends offer significant export and collaboration opportunities for innovative U.S. companies in the areas of clean mobility, increasing connectivity, the spread of automation, and the shared use of transportation.
Austria
Summary
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Trends & Best Prospects for U.S. Exporters
Austria’s outlook for mobility solutions is strong on the medium-term as accelerating digital transformation is increasing demand for shared and connected mobility services. However, the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing and telework regulations has dampened short-term demand for mobility solutions. According to a Technical University Vienna survey, during Austria’s March – May 2020 lockdown, usership for mobility decreased significantly (-50% cars, -80% public transport), and will continue at a low level potentially until 2021 Q3. Post-pandemic mobility in Austria is expected to be more environmentally friendly, more convenient, faster and cheaper, mainly driven by four trends:
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The greatest changes in the Austrian mobility sector can be expected in the areas of energy and the environment. Driven by the Austrian Climate Change Act (enacted in 2011) and supported by the Green party that joined the governing coalition in 2019, CO2 emissions in the transport sector are mandated to be drastically reduced by 2030 with Austria's transport system to become CO2-neutral by 2050. These ambitious plans will require a comprehensive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, supported by a strong focus on e-Mobility.
To encourage electric vehicle purchases, during 2021, the Austrian government is subsidizing individual consumers ($6,000 per vehicle) and businesses ($4,800 per vehicle) and has already invested in electric charging infrastructure nationwide. While petrol-driven vehicles are still the most popular choice, electric vehicles are catching up. According to the government`s mobility agency Austria Tech, the number of new electric and plug-in hybrid passenger car registrations grew significantly from a 3.5% market share in 2019 to 9.5% in 2020. Furthermore, the number of charging points has doubled in the last 2 years to reach 8,395 locations as of the end of 2020.
Austrian automotive component manufacturers heavily focus on emission-optimized and energy-efficient solutions, typically in close collaboration with their OEM clients. Examples include the further development of conventional combustion engines, lighter vehicle construction, the development of new drive and assistance systems. These developments offer great opportunities around eco-drive trains and eco-materials as well as smart manufacturing.
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