E-scooters can help reduce urban transport emissions – researchers

A new report has found that shared e-mobility options, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, can help reduce overall transport emissions in cities. Researchers from institute Fraunhofer ISI analysed e-scooter and e-bike data from provider Lime of more than 4,000 users in six cities – Paris, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Stockholm, Melbourne and Seattle – and adjusted the data to each city’s characteristics. The biggest emission reductions for shared e-scooters were registered in Melbourne (-42.4 grams per passenger kilometre) and Seattle (-37.7 g/pkm). These cities have a considerably higher CO2 intensity in their public transport systems than the European cities. Dusseldorf (-22.1 g/pkm), Paris and Stockholm (-20.7 g/pkm each) were also found to have reduced emissions, while Berlin showed smaller reductions (-14.8 g/pkm). E-bikes were found to have a smaller effect at reducing emissions due to them replacing individual non-electric bike journeys and higher theft rates. Claus Doll, mobility expert at Fraunhofer ISI, advised there are further steps both cities and manufacturers can take to increase the emissions reduction potential of e-bikes and e-scooters, such as better integration of micromobility and public transport networks, and improved vehicle lifespans.

Transport emissions and exhaust gas pollution levels in inner cities have been stubbornly high in Germany over the past years, prompting city governments to look for options to reduce the use of private combustion-engine vehicles in urban areas. Besides private companies introducing sharing models for e-cars, e-scooters and other vehicles, this included measures to improve the attractiveness of public transport options and the buildout of transport infrastructure desigend for cyclists and pedestrians.