APERC researcher Leanne Sargent was invited to speak at the APEC Future of Smart Mobility Workshop held on 27-28 August in Lima, Peru. The workshop brought together experts and policymakers from APEC economies to explore emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of mobility, address the challenges of building connected and sustainable transportation systems, and promote regional cooperation.

Leanne’s presentation drew on APERC research, including the 9th Edition of the APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook and the APEC Energy Overview, to highlight key trends shaping transport energy demand across APEC. The presentation highlighted the growing role of electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels, alongside the increasing application of AI and digitalisation in transport. Leanne also discussed the implications of these developments for energy demand and the importance of reflecting emerging technologies and their wider system impacts in energy modelling.

The workshop additionally featured examples of smart mobility initiatives across APEC economies, from electric mobility and high-speed rail to V2X and autonomous public transport. Discussions explored how these technologies are being applied in different transport contexts, as well as the regulatory, financial, technical, and social considerations associated with their deployment. The range of examples reflected how smart mobility approaches are being applied at different levels across APEC economies, highlighting the value of sharing experiences and lessons while adapting solutions to local transport systems and priorities.