Electromobility and its Development Prospects in the Context of Industry 4.0: A Comparative Study of Poland and the European Union

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to present selected results of a survey on the prospects for the development of electromobility in the context of Industry 4.0. A particular emphasis has been put on a precise analysis of consumer demand and social trends influenced by the IT and technological advancement. Approach/Methodology/Design: The survey used CAWI techniques and was implemented in a period of June-December 2020. The sample included 500 respondents from selected EU member states, including Poland, and the survey concentrated on the demand side. Findings: The importance of modern forms of mobility is expected to grow in the future. However, further promotion and development of electromobility in the context of Industry 4.0 remains an open issue. In the article, the authors point to the power generation technology which should prevail according to opinions expressed by representatives of the demand side and support the development of electromobility that will revolutionize individual transport. Practical implications: According to the survey, apart from the growing number of electric vehicles on the market, equally important is the development of charging infrastructure, since it is an indispensable component of electromobility. This is particularly important in the light of EU plans to develop electromobility based on Industry 4.0. Originality/Value: The study attempts to fill the gap in the literature. The experimental research approach can help to understand links between electromobility and its development prospects in the context of Industry 4.0. At the same time, it is the first attempt to indicate the energy technology which should be used in electric vehicles as a basis for the future mobility in the European Union.