Harbour-Friendly Ships and Quieter Construction

Transportation is one of the largest sectors worldwide, which is why technologies to advance sustainability and efficiency are more prevalent than ever. IDTechEx’s portfolios of Electric Vehicles and Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports cover what the future of travel could look like – with fewer emissions, lower carbon footprints, and healthier environments.

Battery electric vehicles are no longer a new phenomenon, but the expansion of electrification across not only cars, but micro vehicles, trucks, ships, and construction vehicles, suggests there is much more to be expected from the EV sector going forward.

An infographic depicts scenes of sustainable transport developments, including electric ships, scooters, and construction vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell planes and cars.

Figure 1. The Technology of Sustainable Transportation. Source: IDTechEx.

Considerate construction sites

The quiet hums of diggers and forklifts could replace the once jarring sounds of heavy engines on construction sites in the future with the rise of battery powered vehicles, especially in built-up areas. Diesel engine construction vehicles not only create recurrent fuel costs and air pollution but can create a disturbance amongst the community, meaning the future wellbeing of workers and the wider community will also be enhanced as the future of construction steers towards being increasingly environmentally friendly. From a safety perspective, construction sites may become easier to communicate across, with workers better able to hear instruction over quieter noise levels.

Building companies could incur fewer costs and reduce total costs of ownership by making larger initial investments in electric machinery, and cutting out the need for the continuous purchasing of fuel down the line. Battery types will also come into play, as power density for machinery doesn’t need to be as great as with passenger vehicles. The requirement for steady power over longer periods means there is greater versatility in battery solutions, potentially simplifying electrification and creating a greater incentive to make the switch. IDTechEx’s report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, covers developments being made within the sector that will create this new future of construction.

City navigation with micro EVs and long-haul trucks

Nimble navigation around large cities could be allowed with micro EVs, with ease of movement between traffic jams and amongst the busyness of densely populated areas. Due to smaller battery and motor requirements than with cars, micro EVs are poised as good candidates for early electrification, with lower costs. Electric scooters, mopeds, and three-wheelers are all examples of these small yet efficient vehicles, that could change the future of moving around cities. IDTechEx’s report, “Micro EVs 2026-2046: Electric Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, and Microcars”, explores expected uptake over the next two decades.

A man is riding on an electric motorbike down a country lane.

Figure 2. Source: IDTechEx.

On a larger scale, trucks rack up a much greater annual mileage than cars and other vehicles, with some doing long haul deliveries across countries. Unlike passenger cars, trucks are a capital good for firms and businesses, with lifecycles of approximately 10 years. Making the initial investments into deploying electric trucks could therefore be more profitable in the long run, as they are likely to cost less to refuel over their lifetime.

The reduced noise of large engines on highways and service stations may also be appreciated for not only other road users, but the truck drivers themselves, making driving more pleasant. Along with the reduction in emissions, electric trucks could boast not only operational and financial benefits, but environmental benefits. Visit IDTechEx’s report, “Electric and Fuel Cell Trucks 2025-2045: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts”, for more details.

Making waves with electrification

Seaside and port towns of the future may be home to even more tranquillity and the peaceful sightings of ships, unaccompanied by the large vibration of engines.

Hybrid ships, functioning with both an engine and a battery, could turn off their engines miles out from shore, and eradicate the need for them to be running while a ship is stationary in port, so that air quality can improve, and surrounding areas don’t need observe fuel emissions. The electrification of ships can also allow for greater speed and efficiency during travel. For leisure boats, less maintenance may be required, while passengers can benefit from increased performance and responsiveness, enhancing the overall experience.

The reductions in emissions offered by electric ships could be beneficial all over the world, with most goods being transported by sea at some time during their journey, meaning electric ships could lead to cleaner ocean air everywhere.

Electric ships could also act as microgrids for local power operations, benefitting communities with their large batteries and electrical capabilities by taking on excess power and returning the favour when a balance is needed. In this way, ships can also rely on local power sources to recharge for their next journey, without the need for large amounts of fuel. IDTechEx’s reports, “Electric Boats & Ships 2024-2044” and “Electric Vehicles: Land, Sea, and Air 2025-2045” cover the waves being made within the marine transportation sector.

A large electric ship is docked and connected to a power source with a cable plugged in to it.

Figure 3. Source: IDTechEx.

Fast fuelling hydrogen stations

Driving with only water vapour as a tailpipe emission could make road users feel good about not contributing to harmful emissions and improving local air quality. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) provide a zero-emission solution to travelling, for cars, buses, trucks, and other road vehicles. For consumers opting to buy these cars, there may be a feeling of doing right by the environment, while OEMs benefit from meeting emission reduction targets. With the possibility of refuelling at hydrogen pumps taking as little as 5 minutes, FCEVs can also offer increased convenience, without waiting around for batteries to charge.

FCEVs also have the edge on energy density over battery electric cars. FCEVs therefore provide improved range, more comparable to ICE cars, but without the harmful emissions. IDTechEx’s report, “Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2025-2045: Markets, Technologies, Forecasts” covers the technologies behind FCEVs that allow them to use hydrogen as a fuel, including the most commonly adopted proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).

A man is stood refuelling his fuel cell electric vehicle at a hydrogen station.

Figure 4. Source: IDTechEx.

Fuel cells travelling sky-high

The possibility for planes to be fitted with fuel cells alongside the closer implementation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could lead to flying becoming a more environmentally friendly form of travel. Some major aircraft manufacturers are already looking to the future where planes could be fitted with hydrogen fuel cells to incur the same emission-free benefits that are currently possible on the road. Passengers travelling for leisure or work won’t have to be concerned with the responsibility of a hefty carbon footprint, knowing that water vapour is the only emission produced while flying.

The costs and availability of resources, however, mean that in the near future, SAF is likely to be the first sustainable and most feasible option. SAF is already being combined with regular jet fuel to reduce the overall carbon footprint of air travel, as it is responsible for less production emissions. IDTechEx’s report, “Sustainable Future Aviation 2025-2045: Trends, Technologies, Forecasts”, explores a number of possibilities for the future of sustainable air travel, with predictions on the uptake of fuel cells and SAF in planes.