The McKinsey Center for Future Mobility (MCFM) works with stakeholders across the mobility ecosystem by providing independent and integrated evidence about possible future-mobility scenarios in many forms: autonomous driving, e-mobility, shared mobility, and more. This research is a guide to action for individual, public, and private sector actors alike. We recognize that mobility must be more sustainable, smarter, safer, less expensive, and more convenient for everyone. Our focus is on easing the current and forthcoming shifts this inflection entails while identifying the tremendous opportunities being created by it.
The McKinsey Center for Future Mobility’s mission is to help companies, investors, governments, and social sector entities transform the way they approach mobility in all its forms—making it easier, more sustainable, smarter, and cheaper for everyone.
Focus Areas
Autonomous vehicles
We help our clients to develop profitable autonomous mobility offerings and implement autonomous solutions that are safe, sustainable, and efficient for a seamless customer experience.
Software-defined vehicles & E/E architecture
Leveraging the latest electrical/electronic (E/E) and software (SW) technology best practices, we help our clients to enable digital services that enhance driving experience, safety, and convenience.
Zero emission mobility
We support our clients on their journey to zero-emission mobility. Our experience with alternative powertrains (e.g., EV or H2) spans all major markets around the world and every segment of the value chain.
Urban/shared mobility and Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
Urban/shared mobility and MaaS are quickly evolving. We help our clients to (further) develop their offerings, create a seamless customer experience, and improve sales.
New forms of mobility
We help our clients to (further) develop and market their offerings, focusing on new forms of mobility, such as e-scooters or e-bikes across the whole value chain.
Next-generation go-to-market & digital services
To optimize the customer experience and commercial results of the offering, we help our clients to develop innovative digital services and implement new next-generation go-to-market approaches.
Our capabilities
Proprietary market outlooks on entire mobility ecosystem
Our mobility projections are based on >100 billion data points within our granular forecast models in >150 data sets, helping clients answer topics ranging from major mobility trends to niche markets.
Global network of world-class experts
We have >45 dedicated colleagues working exclusively on mobility projections and >200 experts all around the world helping our clients to drive future mobility.
Proven impact across industries
Our unique and proven way of working helps us solve difficult problems. We have >600 mobility engagements per year with >300 clients across >20 industries.
Thought leader and voice of industry
Our share of voice regarding mobility in top media is >80%, which is more than all competitors combined. In 2024, we had over 730 mentions in top media outlets worldwide.
Who we support
Future Disruptors
Start-ups/scale-ups and “soonicorns” that are the next generation of industry leaders.
Today’s Iconic Shapers
Iconic disruptor institutions that are redefining the landscape with innovative approaches and ideas.
Mobility Incumbents
Legacy players managing industry transitions and incubating their own disruptors.
“Ripple Industries”
Industries that will be heavily impacted by major mobility trends, e.g., banks, insurance companies, logistics providers.
Built two new businesses for North American Automotive Supplier
We redesigned the strategic process and launched two service-based mobility ventures with potential for multibillion revenue and double the EBITDA margin while strengthening client capabilities for these new business models.
Developed a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure business
We developed a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure business from the ground up, covering everything from initial market research and strategic planning to designing the business model, securing partnerships, and overseeing the implementation of charging networks.
Accelerated Market Expansion: three-year partnership with European e-scooter firm
We engaged in a three-year commercial scale-up partnership with a European e-scooter company, helping them expand into additional EU markets through their dealer network.
Ensured sustained leadership in the premium automotive sector
We partnered with a German premium car OEM to enhance its competitive positioning against emerging Chinese market entrants, ensuring sustained leadership in the premium automotive sector.
Enabled strategic insights into the electric two-/three-wheeler market in Africa and Asia
We assisted a client in assessing the growth of the electric two-/three-wheeler market in key African and Asian regions, quantifying the value chain and value pools and comparing the economics and future prospects of charging versus battery swapping.
Designed a future state operations center for self-driving vehicles
We helped a client lay the groundwork for a future-state operations center, ensuring seamless rider communication, top-tier safety, and a comprehensive back-office suite with no maintenance costs.
Supported an eVTOL start-up during their fundraising process
We supported a client by conducting a strategy review and optimizing the investor pitch deck, refining the client’s value proposition and investor story to enhance their fundraising efforts.
Defined an outside-in next-generation battery pack concept
We conducted an industry analysis of SUV and sedan battery packs, evaluating competition, market trends, and technical aspects. Defined two battery pack concepts addressing design challenges and trade-offs to meet performance targets.
Enabled cost savings for a next-generation EV platform
We helped a German OEM achieve over €300 million in lifetime cost savings for their next-generation EV platform, leveraging our product cost generative AI tool and analyzing teardowns of over 15 leading peers (incl. Chinese EV OEMs).
Featured Insight
The future of mobility: Mobility evolves
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Mobility is entering a new age of innovation. We examined regional trends across the world to explore the complex changes that could transform the sector by 2035.
Our people
Philipp Kampshoff
Senior Partner and Global Coleader, Automotive & AssemblyHouston
Global coleader of the Automotive & Assembly Practice, serving clients along the entire mobility value chain
Kersten Heineke
PartnerFrankfurt
Coleads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility and serves clients across the automotive industry, incumbent industries, mobility...
Timo Möller
PartnerCologne
Coleads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility with a focus on the strategic and operational questions around disruptive trends;...
Dr. Ruth Heuss
Senior PartnerBerlin
Co-leads McKinsey’s Operations Practice globally, and serves companies in the automotive and machinery industries on future mobility,...
Emily Shao
PartnerDetroit
Pioneers the transition to the future of mobility, navigating organizations through disruptions in technology, business models,...
Andreas Tschiesner
Senior PartnerMunich
Advises companies on strategic questions and challenges related to technology and innovation, with a key focus on large-scale...