Fast Travel is much cheaper if your faction controls that specific territory... looks like they really want to promote faction wars which is not a bad thing at all
I also have no doubt they will introduce mounts at some point, after most of the people have explored all the territories.
Initially I was a bit put off by the no-mounts but it does add to the immersion and also scales down rushing through content.
A lot of people won't like it because the rush to max level is a thing but I personally can't wait for the launch! I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a game... at least 10 years have passed.