On October 22, EsadeGeo, in collaboration with Fundación Repsol, convened the event Challenges in the Mobility Sector in the Energy Transition, a forum aimed at examining the technological, regulatory, and industrial transformations required to decarbonise mobility while preserving competitiveness and social viability. The discussion brought together representatives from industry, research institutions, civil society, and public administration to assess the role of alternative fuels, innovation pathways, and policy coordination in the transition towards sustainable mobility.

The event was opened by Michele Quintano, Deputy Director of Esade, who underscored the strategic relevance of the mobility sector within the broader energy transition. He highlighted the need for dialogue across sectors and levels of governance to address the structural challenges posed by decarbonisation, particularly in hard-to-abate segments such as aviation, maritime transport, and heavy-duty road transport.

The keynote address was delivered by Tomás Malango, Director of Renewable Fuels and Circular Economy at Repsol. Malango focused on the contribution of renewable fuels and circular economy solutions to reducing emissions in mobility, stressing that technological neutrality and scalability are essential to ensure an effective and inclusive transition. He also emphasised the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure and industrial capabilities to accelerate deployment.

The subsequent roundtable discussion brought together José Manuel Serra Alfaro, Director of the Institute of Chemical Technology at ITQ (CSIC–UPV), Ioan Bucuras, Deputy Director of T&E Spain, Javier Aríztegui, Director of Product Design, Energy Systems and Deep Tech at Repsol Technology Lab, and Tobias Block, Head of Strategy and Content at eFuelAlliance. The debate addressed the current state of technological development, the role of synthetic and renewable fuels, and the tensions between innovation, regulatory frameworks, and environmental ambition. Speakers converged on the need for clear and stable policy signals, as well as sustained investment in research and development, while also highlighting differing perspectives on the prioritisation of solutions and the pace of regulatory change.

The roundtable was moderated by Omar Rachedi, Senior Fellow and Director of Energy Projects at EsadeGeo, who guided the discussion towards the strategic implications for Europe and Spain in the context of global competition and climate objectives. He emphasised the importance of aligning industrial policy, energy strategy, and mobility planning to avoid fragmented approaches that could undermine decarbonisation efforts.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Isabel del Olmo Flórez, Head of the Sustainable Mobility Department at the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). She reflected on the role of public policy in enabling the transition, highlighting ongoing initiatives to support innovation, infrastructure deployment, and demand-side measures. Del Olmo Flórez reaffirmed the centrality of cooperation between public institutions, industry, and research centres to ensure that the mobility transition is both environmentally effective and economically sustainable.