How Micromobility affects Energy and Environment
Micromobility has mixed implications for urban transportation sustainability. A comprehensive study of 500 travelers revealed that while personal e-scooters and e-bikes tend to reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to replaced transport modes, their shared counterparts might increase emissions [1]. Another emphasized the potential of micro-mobility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but highlighted that the real impact depends heavily on what transport modes are substituted, the types of trips, and the specific urban contexts, and suggests that existing shared micromobility programs often substitute for active transportation.[2] Policies and infrastructure adapted to these realities can enhance the benefits of micro-mobility. Systematic reviews further underscored that the shift to e-mobility often replaces walking and public transport, which could lead to increased energy demands - this is, however, not an intrinsic property, but a product of the availability of the service, ease of docking, and perceived safety of the service [2].
References
D. J. Reck, H. Martin, and K. W. Axhausen, “Mode choice, substitution patterns and environmental impacts of shared and personal micro-mobility,” Transp. Res. Part Transp. Environ., vol. 102, p. 103134, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2021.103134.
A. G. Olabi et al., “Micromobility: Progress, benefits, challenges, policy and regulations, energy sources and storage, and its role in achieving sustainable development goals,” Int. J. Thermofluids, vol. 17, p. 100292, Feb. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100292.
Related Literature Reviews
See Literature Reviews on Micromobility
See Literature Reviews on Energy and Environment
Note: Mobility COE research partners conducted this literature review in Spring of 2024 based on research available at the time. Unless otherwise noted, this content has not been updated to reflect newer research.