Page 19 - Guidelines for cities to achieve carbon Net Zero through digital transformation

Figure 2: E-Scooters in China

Source: Adobe Images

An e-bike typically “resembles a standard pedal bicycle with the addition of a rechargeable battery
and electric motor to assist with propulsion. By providing electric power assistance, e-bikes expand
the potential role of the bicycle – especially for commuting and errands – by addressing the limits
of trip distance and terrain. E-bikes are used by various individuals to bike farther and to overcome
barriers to biking such as trip length, cargo weight, and physical limitations. People are using their
e-bikes mainly to commute to work or school and then for local trips” (MacArthur et al., 2014).

EV sharing

The EV sharing model is a new transportation mode that characterizes the separation of ownership
and use. Its presence not only lowers the use of EVs but also introduces a series of external benefits
such as environmental and public infrastructure benefits. Currently, there are two categories of
sharing EV: ride-sourcing EV and self-service EV. Ride-sourcing EV mode is a reformed model of
traditional taxi services, while self-service EVs depend more on the rental spots located all over a
city, where users should pick up and drop off (park) EVs at specific parking locations. “According to
the statistics of the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2016, China’s carbon dioxide emissions in
the field of transportation account for 92.1 per cent of total emissions, while private cars account
for more than half (Wu et al., 2016)”. To face this challenge, Chinese authorities have issued a set of
regulations that include restrictions on purchasing or driving internal combustion vehicles (ICVs),

9