The mobility transition is a core component of a socio-ecological transformation, and its significance for planetary health is increasingly emphasized. There is no shortage of knowledge about current problems or proposed solutions. This article examines why implementation remains slow despite a wealth of scientific evidence, planning concepts, and legal frameworks. Central to this analysis is the role of power relations within the mobility system.

The authors analyze instrumental, structural, and discursive forms of power, showing how they stabilize car-centric structures. They shed light on the influence of economic interests on political decisions, the effects of infrastructural and economic path dependencies, and societal narratives that render the automobile seemingly inevitable. At the same time, it becomes clear that the burdens of the existing transport system are distributed unequally, with disadvantaged groups particularly affected by the consequences.

The article also discusses concrete levers for a socially just and health-promoting mobility transition – ranging from greater transparency and public participation to the expansion of alternative mobility options, as well as new guiding principles and communication strategies.

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