Many think of electrification involving bigger vehicles, but the broader transportation network in electrification still includes smaller devices: bikes, scooters, and skateboards. These electric versions of micro-vehicles (EMVs) are e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards, bringing shared transportation services to our world. Will the EMVs give us a micro-edge in mobility?
What is micro e-mobility?
Micro mobility is a promising path forward as we address traffic congestion, air pollution, and the need for affordable and clean transportation methods. 2017 was the first time the term micro mobility first appeared, characterized by vehicles which are typically light (<500kg) and for short distances (~15km). According to a peer-reviewed literature, urban mobility with the following EMVs (electric-powered micro-mobility vehicles) has grown in popularity in recent years:
E-bikes: Pedelecs, a pedal-assist system that activates as the rider begins and stops at a threshold of ~45 km/h, while other e-bikes have electric motors that can work (up to ~25 km/h) without pedalling.
E-scooters: Powered by an electric hub on the wheels, their growth in US cities ousted dockless bike sharing to a great degree, with a single-charge range of ~40 km and a top speed of ~30 km/h.
Hoverboards & e-skateboards: A platform with motorized wheels (hoverboards) or a battery (e-skateboards), reaching ~20 km/h and ~20 km for single-charge ranges.
Of these EMVS, e-bikes and e-scooters are promising and predominant options in EMVs that provide undeniable advantages.
What is the purpose of EMVs?
Adapting to societal problems and areas of development, innovative projects (like 15-minute City by Driving Urban Transition) have been nodding toward micro e-mobility because of the different factors that are driving consumers and administrations to adopt EMVs.
Environmental benefits: Micro e-mobility is a more sustainable mode of transportation, resulting in a smaller footprint than traditional vehicles, for cleaner air and against climate change.
Fitness and aging population: The electric assistance opens up the usage to riders with fitness limitations and unable or unwilling to exercise intensively, mostly older individuals who wish to continue cycling and remain active.
Green tourism: EMVs can be recreational, allowing users to enjoy views and travel intra-city without the same level of physical exertion as non-electric micro mobility vehicles, making them suitable for tourism and outdoor activities.
What’s stopping micro e-mobility?
As with EVs (though becoming rarer), users often have EMV range anxiety: the fear of the vehicle running out of battery during the journey. This perception of EMV’s disadvantage is fueled by how sparse the charging infrastructure is, discouraging potential users from adopting EMV in day-to-day activities. Their accessibility remains limited due to the difficulty of establishing an extensive charging infrastructure network, marked by the sheer amount of associated urban planning, costs, and supply chain challenges.
This barrier is one that larger electric vehicles once encountered. EMVs may be able to follow the steps of EV charging for a more sustainable path forward, including the technical advances made. EV charging infrastructure has developed its network to become more widespread, and its efficiency has jumped. Tron, delivering a reliable power output of up to 600 kW in a compact design, assisted by AI optimization, exemplifies these technological advancements.
While viveEV has yet to support EMV charging, we offer reliable solutions for effective EV charging infrastructure that match your business’s needs on viveev.com.