Rural mobility: the great challenge and opportunity for autonomous vehicles
- seaxaidevloop
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Mobility is one of the greatest challenges — and also one of the greatest opportunities — in rural Spain. Although public debate often revolves around large cities, the reality is that a significant part of the country faces a critical situation when it comes to transportation, access to services, and quality of life. Why is it so important to address this challenge? What role can new technologies, especially autonomous mobility, play?
1. A country of small towns and an aging population
Spain has 8,131 municipalities, but the striking fact is that over 76% of them have fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. This means that most towns have a low population density and, in many cases, residents are very spread out. Only 12% of the population lives in rural areas, yet in terms of territory, these areas make up most of the country.
The demographic challenge is even more pressing due to an aging population: by 2035, it is projected that 26% of Spaniards will be over 65 years old, and by 2050 that figure could exceed 31%. This trend affects not only the population pyramid but also mobility needs, healthcare requirements, and access to services.
2. Rural density and access to services: impossible distances
Many of the provinces with the lowest population density are found in the country’s interior: Teruel, Cuenca, Zamora, Soria… all have figures far below the national average (~92 inhabitants/km²). In these areas, reaching basic services can require traveling more than 20 kilometers. For most city dwellers, this would be like having to go to another town just to visit a doctor, go shopping, or catch a train.
In depopulated provinces, these distances can skyrocket:
Up to 20–25 km for health centers, train stations, or supermarkets.
In extreme cases, such as some municipalities in Salamanca, the distance to the nearest health center can exceed 100 km.
This situation not only causes isolation but also limits access to job opportunities, social interaction, and overall well-being.
3. Limited mobility: a barrier for thousands of people
Aging and dispersed populations mean that nearly half a million people over 65 in rural areas face some kind of mobility difficulty. But the problem doesn’t stop there:
58% of rural residents consider local transportation to be inaccessible or insufficient.
14% of rural household spending goes solely to transportation — almost double the percentage in cities.
The lack of alternatives forces people to rely on family, neighbors, or private services, with a high economic, emotional, and independence cost.
4. Autonomous mobility: a real and sustainable opportunity
This is where new technologies can be transformative. Electric autonomous vehicles, combined with on-demand service models or fixed routes, offer several key advantages:
Accessible mobility for older adults as well as young people and children who cannot drive.
All-day service, without the limitations of human drivers, adapted to real demand.
Fewer accidents and greater comfort, by eliminating human error and optimizing routes.
Lower emissions, thanks to electric vehicles and optimized routing.
Resource optimization: a single vehicle can efficiently cover the needs of an entire town.
Moreover, implementing pilot projects of this kind attracts talent, innovation, and visibility to rural areas, creating a virtuous cycle that helps retain population and improve quality of life.
5. The challenge and the mission
From our project, our mission is clear: to offer accessible, efficient, and sustainable transportation solutions for people with limited mobility in rural communities. We want to turn the great challenge of rural mobility into an opportunity — leveraging technology, knowledge, and, above all, the collaboration of those who know the territory’s reality firsthand.
Interested in following our progress?
Subscribe or contact us if you represent a municipality or operator and want to explore pilot projects in a rural environment.
Comments