By Viesturs Deksnis.
As Europe races to fulfill its climate ambitions and reshape the transport sector, powerful new trends are emerging at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and regulation. Recently, Gurtam, a global leader in fleet management software headquartered in Lithuania, hosted the Telematics and Connected Mobility conference at LITEXPO, the largest event venue in the Baltics. Speaking on the discussion panel “What’s Next for Mobility? From AI to electrification – the forces driving the industry’s evolution, and what they mean for business today,” Rugilė Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė, CEO of the Transport Innovation Association, shared insights into what’s next for how people and goods will move across Europe and beyond.
Balticnews.com sat down with Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė to discuss the forces shaping tomorrow’s mobility and what businesses must do to get ready.
During the panel discussion, several key themes emerged about the transformation of mobility and logistics. What the main takeaways were? What are the biggest trends defining the future of mobility and logistics today?
During the panel, the momentum of change in mobility and logistics was striking. Electrification – the push to replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy – continues at a frantic pace, but it is part of a broader evolution. Connectivity and digitalization are redrawing the map for transport management, data sharing, and efficiency. While much has been said about autonomous vehicles, we agreed that real-world progress is slower than once forecast; we’re still in the early days, with many hurdles ahead before such systems are commonplace.
How is Europe leading the way in electrification and why is this transformation happening so rapidly? Why does it matter for other regions like the Middle East?
Europe has staked out an ambitious vision: carbon neutrality by 2050 and near-total reduction of CO₂ emissions by 2030. This vision propels the continent’s record rate of electrification. Early phases saw surging adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, but now attention is shifting to mass market challenges – particularly access for lower-income households, an active discussion point with the European Commission. Corporate fleet transitions – helped by possible tax incentives – are another focus. For heavy freight, electrification remains technically demanding; long-haul electric trucking is not expected at scale within the next five years, though cleaner alternatives are being explored. Crucially, as the world collectively pivots towards greener transport, the lessons from this transition matter not only for Europe but also for regions like the Middle East.
What steps is Lithuania taking to support this transformation?
Lithuania is betting on connectivity and data-driven solutions. Inspired by Singapore’s best practices in digital government, we’re working to end reliance on paper permits in transport – streamlining permissions, sharing data effortlessly among government, businesses, and citizens. In collaboration with Finland, Latvia, and Estonia, Lithuania is piloting a seamless digital system, so drivers can exchange and verify permits without stacks of paperwork. The goal is simple: efficiency, transparency, and scalability for the region.
Looking five to ten years ahead, what will be the most transformative change in mobility and logistics? How should businesses prepare?
Within the next decade, expect to see paper-based workflows become a thing of the past. End-to-end digitalization in data management will become the standard, and companies that embrace this shift early will have a distinct advantage. AI development in mobility is accelerating – making digital tools smarter and more widely accessible, enabling new business models, and offering opportunities for IT service providers. For the Baltics, and indeed all of Europe, expanding the electric vehicle ecosystem is central – not only for environmental reasons but also to build resilience against energy supply shocks. Both businesses and households will benefit from broader access to electric options and smarter, more connected mobility infrastructure.
In summary, Europe’s drive for sustainability and digital progress is reshaping the landscape of mobility faster than ever. As Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė suggests, adaptability and openness to new technological solutions will be the foundation for successful transition in the years ahead.
***
Watch the full interview in the video:
2 Responses
This read is quite the ride through the electrifying (pun intended!) world of mobility! Who knew paper permits were such a hurdle? Lithuanias digital government push is like the Final Fantasy of transport paperwork – Lalalala, no more papers! Europes dash to neutrality is like a sprinter with really high goals, while the rest of us watch, hoping the long-haul truck revolution doesnt hit our roads before coffee! And AI making tools smarter? Sounds less like Skynet and more like my smart coffee maker finally getting a promotion. Kudos to the Baltics for aiming high and ditching the dead trees – may all transitions be this digitally delightful! color wheel
This read is a whirlwind through the electrifying world of mobility! Who knew paper permits were such a sticking point? Lithuanias digital government push is like the Transport Equivalent of finally casting away those clunky old D-pad controllers – Lalalala, no more buttons! Europes dash to neutrality feels like a marathon runner setting the pace, while we worry about the long-haul truck revolution bringing gridlock before weve had our coffee. And AI making tools smarter? Sounds less like Skynet and more like my smart coffee maker finally getting a promotion! Kudos to the Baltics for aiming high and ditching the dead trees – may all transitions be this digitally delightful!football bros unblocked