The main conclusions of the day were:
- Valero Marín Sastron. Executive managing director of Client at Repsol
Valero Marín Sastrón stressed the importance of technological neutrality in the transition towards sustainable mobility. Repsol is committed to integrating renewable fuels and electrification at its service stations, adapting to the changing needs of users and contributing significantly to decarbonization goals.
Marín Sastrón emphasized that all technologies must be taken into account to achieve these goals and that it is essential to allow science and innovation to work together to find sustainable solutions. In addition, he highlighted that Repsol is transforming its service stations into multiple energy hubs, integrating electric charging points and renewable fuels to offer its customers a variety of energy options.
“It's essential to allow science and innovation to work together to find sustainable and decarbonized solutions.”
- Álvaro Fernández Heredia. General secretary of Sustainable Mobility of the Ministry of Transport
Álvaro Fernández Heredia highlighted the need for a sustainable mobility law that provides an efficient and long-term regulatory framework. This law should encourage cooperation between governments, companies, and citizens to guarantee equitable and accessible mobility. Fernández Heredia stressed that stable and reviewable strategic planning is essential to adapt to new technological realities and achieve sustainability goals.
He also mentioned that the law must include governance mechanisms that facilitate collaboration between different administrations and the private sector. These mechanisms are crucial to ensuring that mobility policies are coherent and effective at national and local levels, thus allowing for a smoother implementation of sustainable transport solutions.
“Stable and reviewable strategic planning is essential to adapt to new technological realities and achieve sustainability goals."
Round table: “Innovation at the service of sustainable mobility solutions”
- Cecilia Medina - Director of Innovation and Talent at SERNAUTO
Cecilia Medina highlighted that the automotive sector is crucial for the Spanish economy, representing 9% of GDP and generating over 2 million jobs. The industry is evolving towards more connected and autonomous vehicles, with a significant focus on software and sustainability. She stressed that digitalization and innovation in vehicle design and manufacturing are essential in maintaining competitiveness and reducing the carbon footprint.
Medina emphasized SERNAUTO's defense of technological neutrality and competitiveness, both at European and Spanish levels, to find the most efficient solutions for transport needs. She also highlighted the importance of committing to technologies that reduce net CO2 emissions, such as renewable fuels and electrification, and pointed out that energy efficiency must be a priority in all stages of vehicle production and use.
Finally, she highlighted that digitalization and connectivity will be key to the future of the automotive industry, radically transforming it and making the supplier industry in Spain a benchmark in innovation, thanks to significant investments in research and development.
- Juan Manuel Martínez Mourín - Chairman of the Spanish Transport Association (AET)
Juan Manuel Martínez Mourín explained that the AET is not an employers' association, but rather a model for debate, dissemination, and study, with partners from all modes of transport. He highlighted that Spain is well positioned in terms of technological innovation applied to mobility and logistics, thanks to its ability to apply concepts quickly and economically.
Martínez Mourín highlighted the growing collaboration within the innovative technological ecosystem in Spain, although he did acknowledge that there is still much to be done. Finally, he highlighted the importance of promoting technologies and options without imposing or prohibiting.
- Jorge Escuín - Director of Mobility Business Strategy and Development at Repsol
Repsol is leading the transition towards renewable energies, investing in renewable fuel technologies and establishing a network of service stations that offer these innovative products. Jorge stressed the importance of technological and fiscal neutrality to make progress without compromising future generations.
Escuín also highlighted how renewable fuels contribute to the circular economy by using organic waste, promoting rural development and energy independence. He mentioned that Repsol already produces renewable fuels at an industrial level and plans to significantly expand its network of service stations that offer these fuels.
- Xavier Ferré - Partner responsible for the Automotive and Transport sector in Spain at EY España
Xavier Ferré expressed concern about the slow adoption of electric vehicles in Spain, citing significant barriers such as high initial costs. He highlighted the need for clearer and more effective policies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.
Ferré also addressed the importance of cybersecurity and other areas of digitalization, such as data analytics and the use of the cloud, to avoid losing business and maximize efficiency. He recommended making the most of public aid available for digitalization and Industry 4.0.
- Rodrigo Castiñeira - Manager of Mobility Innovation at Indra
Rodrigo Castiñeira highlighted that Indra is an international benchmark in infrastructure and associated technologies, taking sustainable mobility from Spain to other countries. He stressed the importance of strategic planning for the deployment of sustainable mobility solutions and public-private collaboration.
Castiñeira emphasized the need for smart infrastructure that improves transport efficiency and reduces emissions, mentioning that the integration of advanced technologies in traffic management can significantly transform the sector. Indra's goal is to become net zero in ten years, using technology to advance towards sustainable mobility.
Round table: “Urban and interurban mobility, a challenge towards the decarbonization of cities and their surroundings”
- Borja Carabante – Second Deputy Mayor and Delegate of the Government Department of Urban Planning, Environment, and Mobility of the Madrid City Council
Borja Carabante highlighted that, according to estimates, urban concentration will increase significantly, reaching 70% of the world's population by 2050. This accelerated urbanization implies the need for coordinated policies between cities and their surroundings. He stressed that, in the 21st century, cities have become the main greenhouse gas emitters, which means taking on the challenge of sustainability. The Madrid 360 strategy has been implemented in Madrid, a comprehensive vision that promotes sustainable mobility, improving public transport infrastructure and renewing the vehicle fleet.
Carabante also emphasized the need to incorporate mobility and sustainability into urban planning, and highlighted the importance of intermodality, integrating all modes of mobility to facilitate sustainable travel. Through incentive policies and improvements in public transport, Madrid has managed to reduce its use of private vehicles and increase public transport use, positioning itself as a benchmark in sustainable mobility.
- Nora Abete – Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Mobility and Sustainability of the Bilbao City Council
Nora Abete stressed that Bilbao has implemented a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, adopted by all political forces and associations, to improve quality of life through mobility policies. Facing the demographic challenge and aging population, Bilbao has deployed a network of free public elevators and has improved the accessibility of public transport. She also highlighted the importance of recovering spaces for children and promoting green infrastructure to make cities more resilient to climate change.
Abete mentioned the challenge of freight transport in cities and the need to get it organized to avoid urban collapse. Bilbao has led pioneering initiatives such as putting speed limits at 30 km/h and creating low-emission zones, managing to reduce emissions and accidents. She also highlighted the importance of different modes of transport coexisting, promoting the use of electric bicycles and improving cycling infrastructure.
- Sonia Araujo López – General director of Innovation, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation at RENFE
Sonia Araujo highlighted that RENFE has been a benchmark in metropolitan and urban transport since the 90s, with a commuter train system that moves millions of passengers every day. She stressed the need to promote intermodality with other sustainable means of transport and collaboration with administrations to improve the connectivity and efficiency of public transport. RENFE has invested over 4 billion euros in renovating its train fleet and stations, focusing on energy efficiency, accessibility, and connectivity.
Araujo also highlighted the importance of policies that promote public transport and the integration of different modes of transport to offer citizens efficient and sustainable solutions. She pointed out that Spain is a European benchmark in public transport and that RENFE is committed to continuing to improve sustainable mobility solutions.
- Rafael Barbadillo – Chairman of the Spanish Confederation of Transport by Bus & Coach (CONFEBUS)
Rafael Barbadillo emphasized that bus is the most popular mode of public transport in Spain, moving 3.115 billion passengers a year. He highlighted public-private collaboration as key to developing the most advanced road transport market in the European Union. He highlighted the importance of public transport in sustainability, with each bus replacing numerous private vehicles, and the need for support in infrastructure such as HOV bus lanes.
Barbadillo also mentioned information and communication technologies as facilitators of the use of public transport, and highlighted on-demand transport systems for low-density areas. In terms of decarbonization, he noted that there is no single solution, with technologies such as biofuels, renewable fuels, and hydrogen all being explored. Finally, he highlighted the success of public transport in Spain and the export of the Spanish model to other countries, thanks to collaboration and efficiency in mobility management.
