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Yuqing Bai standing outside in a park in Shanghai
Innovation

Driving the future: E-mobility is revolutionizing sustainable transport in megacities

11 November 2024

In Shanghai, automotive technology is rapidly evolving, driven by both large-scale innovations and intricate developments in fuel cells. As a Senior Applications Engineer in the mobility ecosystem, Yuqing Bai plays a crucial role in this transformation. Her work shows the importance of metrology solutions in creating safer, better, low-emission vehicles for the future. With increased adoption of sustainable transport options, there's potential to improve quality of life for people worldwide.

In Shanghai, Yuqing Bai experiences a clash of worlds every day. On the side streets of the Pudong district, she sees remnants of an ancient culture amid traditional market stalls, with food stands dotting the length of the path. This is the China that many people think of.

But as soon as she turns onto Nanjing Road in the downtown area, the noise hits her like a speaker at full volume. She finds herself in an ultra-modern megacity. Engines growl in traffic and towers upon sky-scraping towers dwarf pedestrians. Everything in this city is moving and changing – so fast.

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Portrait of Yuqing Bai

For traffic to be more sustainable, e-mobility is the key.

Yuqing Bai Senior Applications Engineer | ZEISS Shanghai
  • Cars travelling along a road in Shanghai
  • Yuqing Bai standing at her car in Shanghai
  • Cars travelling along a road in Shanghai
  • Yuqing Bai standing at her car in Shanghai

Innovation amidst the fervor

The fervor of Shanghai doesn't bother Bai. It's a city she deeply loves. As a Senior Applications Engineer at ZEISS, she witnesses firsthand the city's relentless pursuit of progress. "Shanghai embodies the essence of innovation and advancement," she remarks, noting how the city continually pushes the boundaries of what's achievable. Bai marvels at Shanghai's ever-evolving, diverse landscape, where human ambition thrives and technological progress reigns.

Among the weaving cars and motorbikes, Bai slips into a fully-electric car, ready for the brief drive to the ZEISS Shanghai office. Reflecting on her journey to her current role, she says she first got a master's degree in material science and engineering. Bai credits her fascination with the city's modernism and exponential growth, coupled with the rapid evolution of electric-powered vehicles, as the driving force behind her passion for electric mobility.

Yuqing Bai standing on a bridge overlooking the busy roads of Shanghai

A vision of megacities’ urban growth

The topic of mobility in large cities is becoming more complex. Currently, approximately 56% of the global population, totaling 4.4 billion people, resides in urban areas.1 Projections indicate that this trend will persist, with urban growth surpassing its current rate. By 2050, it is anticipated that nearly 7 out of every 10 individuals will call cities their home.1

To put that into perspective, Shanghai has a population of about 29 million.2 As of 2018 there are 33 megacities in the world – cities with more than 10 million people in them. And Shanghai is one of them. By 2030, the UN estimates that a further 10 cities will be added to the list.3

Daizong Liu, an expert in sustainable urban transportation and the East Asian Director at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, says that megacities, by nature, consume vast resources and produce significant amounts of waste and pollution. That is, unless they incorporate principles of sustainability into their core infrastructure: “The future of urban development in China and around the world lies in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of existing cities, not spreading out into new ones,” Liu explains. “By 2050, 80% of all people in China, for example, will live in a city. Accommodating this growth means a strategic shift in how we look at mobility. And this mobility needs to become more sustainable while thinking about the people who use it.”

As demand for mobility in megacities increases with population growth, today’s mobility systems cannot accommodate tomorrow’s mobility demand. On top of that, as technology progresses daily, the needs of manufacturers of new energy vehicles (NEVs) change as well as regulations.

  • 10 million

    inhabitants live in megacities.

  • 33

    megacities existed in 2018, and it is estimated that 10 more will be added by 2030.3

  • 80%

    of all waste and more than 60% of greenhouse gasses are generated in cities today.4

  • In 1881,

    the first electric car was presented to the public – it had a maximum speed of 12 km/h.5

  • 14.64 million

    NEVs, more than half of the vehicles recorded worldwide in 2022, were in China.6

Portrait of Daizong Liu

The future of urban development in China and around the world lies in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of existing cities.

Daizong Liu on ITDP
Daizong Liu East Asian Director | Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
Yuqing Bai working on metrology eqipment in the lab

Batteries are part of urban mobility

In the coming years, there will be even more emphasis on exploring alternative modes of transportation beyond personal vehicles. This shift will involve both the development of innovative options and enhancements to existing alternatives, ranging from robo-shuttles to the promotion of micro-mobility solutions. All of these are aimed at fostering more sustainable transportation infrastructures.

According to Bai, that means also looking at all the individual parts of batteries in the very NEVs that are part of the change in mobility. She focuses on metrology, or the science of measurement, in NEV batteries.

“Metrology is essential for new energy vehicles. Precise measurement ensures the reliability and safety of new energy vehicles by making sure critical components such as batteries, motors and fuel cell systems follow stringent quality standards. We assist manufacturers in meeting the unique challenges of NEV production for megacities like Shanghai and the future of mobility. This ensures consistent quality and efficiency across the industry,” says Bai.

Yuqing Bai working on metrology eqipment in the lab

In her day-to-day work, she enhances manufacturing processes through material analysis and collaboration with internal and external partners in multiple projects for major global automobile manufacturers. She also troubleshoots problems and provides training to customers to make sure they provide the best batteries possible.

Through her efforts at ZEISS, Bai wants to catalyze the transformation of China's most important economic engine – from a deafening roar to a sustainable hum. "Living and working in a metropolis like Shanghai, I'm acutely aware of the challenges associated with urban mobility and sustainable transport. From traffic congestion to air pollution, these issues have a real impact on cities globally. That's why I'm passionate about working with clients on the e-mobility solutions of the future that address these challenges head-on."

How batteries are changing megacities' e-mobility

The future of mobility is bright

As Bai finishes her final customer phone call of the day, she gazes out of the office window, watching as the sun sets below the Shanghai skyline. The streets below are packed with cars. It’s rush hour. Bai envisions this time of day on the streets looking different in the future. “In my mind, maybe there are no more drivers. There are no collisions. Maybe cars can reshape themselves to fit different-sized roads. Maybe we can make what we once thought was science fiction just another innovation."

Whatever the future of sustainable transportation holds, one thing is certain for Bai: she wants to be at the forefront with her customers as they reliably develop new technologies. Her belief is that the future of mobility will be one of greater safety, efficiency and environmental friendliness. She is confident that Shanghai and the world can adapt and thrive in the face of change. Both have done it many times before.

In focus: e-mobility in megacities

  • The development of electric mobility in cars is a major forward-looking issue for the world’s industry and urban growth. In fact, electric vehicles can become a key element of the energy transition. They offer a cleaner alternative to traditional vehicles. As infrastructure for electric vehicles continues to expand and technology improves, they are becoming increasingly practical and accessible to consumers. However, while electric cars are crucial, the future of mobility will likely involve a diverse range of technologies and transportation modes to address various needs and challenges of sustainability.

  • Sustainable mobility aims to meet current personal mobility needs while preserving resources for future generations through transportation systems and practices. It prioritizes modes of transportation with low emissions to minimize environmental impact, emphasizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, resource conservation, public health promotion and equitable access to transportation options. This approach integrates various modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, public transit, electric vehicles and shared mobility services.

  • As populations grow and incomes increase globally, there's a rising demand for personal mobility, driven by the desire for convenience and flexibility. This demand is particularly crucial in megacities where population density is high. Additionally, environmental concerns are pushing for sustainable transformations in powertrains and fuels. Emerging disruptive technologies and innovative business models further challenge traditional mobility norms. In this dynamic environment, the prospects of autonomous driving and augmented reality loom large, hinting at transformative shifts on the horizon, alongside the multifaceted forces already at play. These multifaceted forces have the potential to significantly reshape the current mobility landscape.