In the recent years, all discussions across forums on sustainability eventually zero-in on the future of mobility. Global policy makers unanimously agree that building a sustainable mode of transportation is pivotal to reducing carbon footprint.
Air pollution has become a critical issue in most major Indian cities, and the national capital has been repeatedly among the most polluted cities in the world. The high CO2 emissions prompted climate change strategies to be formed under the framework of the Paris Agreement in 2015, and subsequently in Copenhagen in 2021. It is being emphasized that cities must reduce pollution, congestion and noise caused by vehicular movement alongside ensuring that the local commute needs of all citizens are taken care of. The rise of incomes and failure of the public transportation to meet these needs in the last few decades, effectively pushed India towards a car-based travel ecosystem.
However, as we are witnessing today, this rise in vehicular traffic led to a significant surge in emissions and climate change. It is time to spread awareness about the ill-effects of car-based mobility and sustainable alternatives.
While town planners and governments across the world are busy revamping the mass transit systems in urban areas, and promoting shared mobility EVs, there is a steady and almost noiseless revolution gaining momentum. Known as micro-mobility, the term refers to electrically powered vehicles that facilitate individual transportation instead of shared or mass commute for shorter distances.
You could consider these to be the 21st century versions of the good old bicycles, but then that’s exactly what e-bikes are. E-bikes are significantly more affordable, safer and easy to switch to. These are attributes that make them ideal for a humongous and cost-conscious market such as India.
Technically, micro-mobility solutions are e-bikes and e-scooters that operate under 25 kmph speeds and less than 250W rated power. As of now, 90% of the Indians use either bicycles, two-wheelers or shared mobility for local commute. This is where e-bikes can emerge as a strong and sustainable alternative. The benefits of electric micro-mobility can no longer be overlooked. For instance:
Affordability – The e-bikes cost less than half of a popular electric 2-wheeler model, and the users don’t need any vehicle registration or driving license to ride these. Since they are electric, they are not affected by the rising prices of petrol/diesel etc.
Customization – The e-bikes are built with specific last-mile mobility needs in mind. Thus, they are lighter, cheaper and sturdier than the costlier 2-wheelers. A good e-bike brand would offer Lithium-ion based batteries that can support fast charging.
Software integration– E-bikes often give users the option to ride them manually like any normal bicycle. However, these are usually powered by smart battery and vehicle telematics solutions that can facilitate remote monitoring of the vehicle and predictive maintenance.
It is estimated that nearly 66% Indian households and population aspire for an affordable micro mobility solution. By introducing these households to the e-bikes, it is possible to create a sustainable and affordable mobility ecosystem in India. This would not only lead to superior quality of life, but also a smoother commute experience for the users.
Conclusion
E-bike based micro mobility is a holistic solution for the Indian market since it can make our cities more sustainable, and offer a seamless alternative mobility option that is safer, smoother and a lot less congested than the car-based transportation of today. The more people adapt to this mode of commute, the greater unit economics will come into the picture and make the e-bikes even more affordable and efficient than before!
(The author Tushar Choudhary, Founder, Motovolt and the views expressed in this article are his own)
