JIUTEPEC, MOR.- Faced with the challenges of urban congestion, an aging vehicle fleet, and rising emissions, key players in the transportation sector asserted that sustainability is no longer an option , but an urgent need that requires cross-sector collaboration, incentives for fleet renewal , and local action.
During the panel Sustainable Mobility of Goods , held within the framework of the Technology and Sustainable Mobility Meeting of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , Isabel Studer, president of Global Sustainability , stated that Mexico must stop seeing electromobility only as a future goal.
“I want to emphasize this issue for everyone because we sometimes forget that equality is an important issue, as is the environment and economic benefits. In Mexico, the domestic market has been ignored. Eighty percent of Mexicans don’t have the income to buy a car, and the vehicle fleet is aging,” Studer explained.
The specialist said that Mexico is a leader in vehicle manufacturing and has one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the world, which impacts both emissions and safety.
“As long as we continue to subsidize fuels instead of clean technologies, we will fall behind countries like India, Indonesia, or even Chile,” Studer warned.
For his part, Gonzalo Peón, director of the Mexico program at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) , shared pilot experiences on the digitalization of urban logistics. One of these consisted of replacing traditional distribution centers with cross-docking points (a logistics technique that avoids long-term storage of goods) in stores close to consumers, using electric cargo bikes.
“The change allowed for a reduction of up to 90% in emissions and a reduction of more than a thousand pesos per month in energy consumption per motorcycle,” Peón explained. He added that the ITDP plans to scale up this model with support from international organizations and is already seeking allies within the ANTP.
Fernanda Espinosa, leader of the Aleatica Foundation , presented an overview of current road risks . She noted that a traffic accident occurs on a highway in Mexico every 33 minutes, and that concessioned highways with infrastructure investment (smart signage, warning strips, predictive maintenance) have up to 70% fewer collisions.
Espinosa also seeks to promote the implementation of the points-based driver’s license as a way to professionalize the sector.
“Eight out of 10 people are in favor. It’s a deterrent and educational tool that could reduce road accidents by up to 20%,” Espinosa said.
Jessica Quezada, senior project manager at Element , warned that 2030, a key date for many decarbonization goals, “is just around the corner.” She recommended maintaining fleet renewal schedules under five years and incorporating telemetry and driver education technologies.
“Good driving habits can translate into 30% fewer collisions and a more profitable operation. Today, the challenge is not only to renew, but also to educate and prepare operators for new technologies like electric trucks,” said Quezada.
For his part, panel moderator Marco Ávila, Director of Transportation at Coca-Cola FEMSA , explained that for him, sustainability in freight transportation involves redesigning models, integrating technology, securing infrastructure, and empowering those who operate the system.
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