Today we are facing an accelerated vehicle technology
development, it has progressed so much that the propulsion systems
have been diversified; vehicle electrification is a reality, and we
already are in a technological transition to the mobility for the
future. Then, technological trends versus a technological vision
are addressed in order to understand how to create a technological
momentum for a more Global Sustainable Mobility (GSM). Fuel Cell
Vehicles (FCV's) are undergoing extensive research and
development because of their potential for high efficiency, low
emissions and no petrol demand; however, is this technology that
will dominate the roads in 2050? An investigation and analysis of
the Future Vehicle Propulsion Systems (FVPS's) are presented to
meet the vision for a GSM by the year 2050 as a long-term thinking
that might produce better short-term decisions.
Internal combustion engines (ICE's) developments and their
major changes may be truncated while technology is growing on
batteries, fuel cells and the efficient use of energy. Hybrid
Electric Vehicles (HEV's) have the potential to meet the short
term stringent regulations as well as Fuel Economy (FE) and CO₂
goals, it can be considered as the first step forward into GSM,
therefore there is an urgency for a global energy policy that
promotes a real efficient use of energy as the cheapest and fastest
way to move towards a global future sustainable mobility. GSM is
possible, a change of mindset is necessary for sustainable growth
through education of our future generations.