Legalizing electric scooters for use on public roads could help save more than 44,000 tonnes of CO2 per year in the UK, equivalent to the annual emissions of 29,000 cars, according to an exclusive study by Move Electric.
The calculation is based on the fact that more than one in five (22%) of 5,078 drivers surveyed said they would consider replacing short car trips with an electric scooter.
According to Department for Transport data, 0.43% of all UK car trips are less than a mile long, which equates to 29.1 miles of trips for each car in the UK each year . If 22% of drivers replaced these trips with an electric scooter, the carbon dioxide savings would amount to 44,261 tonnes, or the equivalent of 821 Olympic swimming pools each month.
Currently, electric scooters can only be used on private land or in specific test areas of local authorities. While 45% of drivers surveyed were in favor of legalizing electric scooters, 79% of those supporting their legalization would like to see them taxed and insured before drivers can drive them.
Our research also found that 42% of all respondents believe electric scooters are a viable solution to helping cities and towns reduce air pollution. Local authorities’ knowledge of testing for electric scooters was also found to be high, with 86% of respondents aware that they can only be operated on private land or in test areas.
Move Electric editor-in-chief James Attwood said: “The government is currently helping local authorities across the UK to test electric scooters to understand how they could be integrated into the existing transport network. While some drivers remain skeptical about using electric scooters, already one in five would consider replacing short car trips with just one.
“Although car trips of less than a kilometer are only a fraction of the total number of kilometers driven, replacing them with an electric scooter could help reduce local air pollution. With one in five drivers already interested in making the switch, that alone could save more than 44,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of taking more than 29,000 cars off the road.
“While it is important that the government takes into account both the safety of electric scooters and issues such as taxation and insurance as the UK moves towards more sustainable transport solutions, he should stay in the conversation about possible ways to improve local air quality. “
Potential CO2 savings (equivalent volume saved)Annually 11x 02 Arenas Monthly 821x Olympic size swimming pools Weekly 102x Big Bens Daily 1007x 40ft shipping containers * Based on 25 degrees temperature and atmospheric pressure
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-12-12 00:01:00
