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Small and Light Electric Vehicles: An Analysis of Feasible Transport Impacts and Opportunities for Improved Urban Land Use

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  • Amelie Ewert

    (German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Vehicle Concepts, Pfaffenwaldring 38–40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Mascha Brost

    (German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Vehicle Concepts, Pfaffenwaldring 38–40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Christine Eisenmann

    (German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Transport Research, Rudower Chaussee 72, 12489 Berlin, Germany)

  • Sylvia Stieler

    (IMU Institut, Hasenbergstraße 49, 70176 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

Improvements in battery technology have resulted in small and light electric vehicles (LEVs) appearing on the market in Europe since 2011—however, their market share is still comparatively low. Low energy requirements and small size can potentially contribute to sustainable mobility in terms of climate protection and reduced local emissions. Our study evaluates how three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, categorised as L-Class according to Regulation (EU) No 168/2013, can contribute to more efficient use of space in urban areas. Evaluations of expert interviews, an extensive literature research, and analyses of the German national household travel survey (MiD) serve as the basis of the study. First, the substitution potential of trips through LEVs is explored using MiD data. Our findings show that between 17% and 49% of trips made and 6% to 30% of the distance covered by private trips can theoretically be substituted by LEVs. Thus, reorganisation of current land use offers potential and additionally, LEVs are an attractive and sustainable addition to other means of transport and contribute to achieving the climate protection goals of the transport sector. Due to the fact that technology application is restricted by travel behaviour and political support, our study discusses possible support by public bodies towards sustainable mobility. Here, the promotion of LEVs in combination with restrictive measures for cars is necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Amelie Ewert & Mascha Brost & Christine Eisenmann & Sylvia Stieler, 2020. "Small and Light Electric Vehicles: An Analysis of Feasible Transport Impacts and Opportunities for Improved Urban Land Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:19:p:8098-:d:422370
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hansson, Lisa, 2020. "Visual representation in urban transport planning: Where have all the cars gone?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1-11.
    2. Laura Gebhardt & Mascha Brost & Alexandra König, 2019. "An Inter- and Transdisciplinary Approach to Developing and Testing a New Sustainable Mobility System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Lipscy, Phillip Y. & Schipper, Lee, 2013. "Energy efficiency in the Japanese transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 248-258.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mylène van der Koogh & Emile Chappin & Renée Heller & Zofia Lukszo, 2021. "Are We Satisfying the Right Conditions for the Mobility Transition? A Review and Evaluation of the Dutch Urban Mobility Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Shlomit Flint Ashery & Carl Steinitz, 2022. "Issue-Based Complexity: Digitally Supported Negotiation in Geodesign Linking Planning and Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. David Watling & Patrícia Baptista & Gonçalo Duarte & Jianbing Gao & Haibo Chen, 2022. "Systematic Method for Developing Reference Driving Cycles Appropriate to Electric L-Category Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-28, May.
    4. Dižo Ján & Blatnický Miroslav & Melnik Rafał & Karľa Michal, 2022. "Improvement of Steerability and Driving Safety of an Electric Three-Wheeled Vehicle by a Design Modification of its Steering Mechanism," LOGI – Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 49-60, January.
    5. Nora Schelte & Semih Severengiz & Jaron Schünemann & Sebastian Finke & Oskar Bauer & Matthias Metzen, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment on Electric Moped Scooter Sharing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, July.
    6. Ann Kathrin Stinder & Nora Schelte & Semih Severengiz, 2022. "Application of Mixed Methods in Transdisciplinary Research Projects on Sustainable Mobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-25, June.

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