Rethinking infrastructure through the future mobility lens: Future mobility requires a different approach to infrastructure due to increased uncertainty, greater interconnectedness and shorter planning horizons due to faster technology evolution.
This will require the convergence of public and private initiatives, adapting governance and legislation, new value capture models with new investment classes as well as new capabilities. Infrastructure players will also have to be more strategic (rather than operational) – for example mobility could be a mandatory consideration in all new infrastructure business cases.
Repurposing petrol forecourts: As increasing numbers of vehicles move to electric, oil and gas companies are expected to accelerate their investment in repurposing forecourt retail space to accommodate electric vehicle (EV) charging. However, it's uncertain to what extent future EV drivers will use forecourts over home charging.
Investment in telecommunications infrastructure: Future telecommunications solutions will be required to manage the stream of data generated by connected and autonomous vehicles. This may take the form of 5G or other solutions (including vehicle-to-vehicle and roadside Wi-Fi standards) that are being trialled.
Although modern autonomous vehicles are being designed to operate without the need for always-on connections, convergence on a national standard and deployment of country-wide infrastructure will enable better use of connected vehicle applications.
New funding mechanisms for mobility infrastructure investment: Many investments in mobility infrastructure still carry substantial demand risk and do not fit the typical profile for 'infrastructure' investments, creating challenges for ensuring sufficient funding is available to meet policy goals. We foresee innovation in products that bridge this gap - whether it is the securitisation of community infrastructure or private/public partnerships (as with the £400 million UK Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund).
EV charging equipment for electrification of buses: Buses, with relatively fixed routes and exposure to the city centre, are a prime target for vehicle electrification. With a relatively fixed / guaranteed demand profile, investment solutions that combine electric vehicle buses and charging infrastructure could be valuable infrastructure investment opportunities.
Public chargepoint investment opportunities: With potentially up to 7 million EVs on UK roads by 2030, there will be a significant requirement for investment in public charging infrastructure. This would range from fast chargers on key motorway network points, as well as slower urban street-side charging facilities for those without off-street parking. This represents a significant investment that will need to be covered by a combination of public, private and individual funding.
Infrastructure upgrades: As suggested by the National Infrastructure Commission, to achieve decarbonisation, distribution and network operators will have to prepare detailed assessments of the infrastructure required, to enable the uptake of battery electric vehicles (including heavy goods vehicles).
