Since the creation of combustion engines, the world has been transformed. Production has improved, and the transportation industry has boomed! Little did people know how combustion engines would negatively impact the environment, and so began the search for an environmentally friendly form of transportation.
Thankfully, with advancements in technology, we might have already found our solution: electronically powered vehicles like e-scooters or e-bikes. In this article, we’ll look at the environmental advantages of using these vehicles.
What is an E-scooter or E-Bike?
Familiar with a scooter, bicycle, or motorbike? You know, both have two wheels: one you stand on and need to kick off the ground to move, and the other has an engine. So these two forms of transportation have recently had some adjustments made to them, making them even more convenient forms of transportation.
An electric scooter follows the traditional scooter design with waist-high handlebars, two wheels, and a platform on which to stand. Instead of needing to kick off the floor to move, an electric engine is installed, powered by lithium-ion batteries, and these little motors can propel these scooters to speeds of up to 90km/h. Impressive right. What’s even better is that they just need to be plugged in to charge, and then they can give you up to 60km to 80km range before the battery needs a recharge.
The same applies to e-bikes. They look like bicycles but have an electric motor on them to provide assistance while pedalling or to propel you completely. These bikes would have tech in them to allow the battery to charge through your effort while pedalling.
How are they different from regular forms of transportation?
To understand the advantages of using e-scooters and bikes for the environment, we need to consider the effects of current forms of transportation. Forms of transportation like cars, motorbikes, buses and others all use combustion engines. These combustion engines ignite gasoline or diesel, creating harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and benzene. These greenhouse gases have had a significant effect on the environment over the last century and continue to impact it negatively. Thus resulting in the need for an alternative.
In this case, it’s electric forms of transportation. E-bikes and Scooters provide people with convenient transportation with less negative impact on the environment. In terms of power, they use electric motors powered by batteries. They can reach similar speeds to cars but nothing as fast and have a limited range. In contrast, they’re more affordable, more efficient, and don’t release any greenhouse gases.
Benefits of using an E-Bike or E-Scooter
We’ve already mentioned some of the benefits of using e-scooters and bikes, but here’s some more:
Convenience
Let’s be honest: the size, price, and usability of an e-bike or scooter make it incredibly convenient. Whether it comes to charging it, or being able to weave between traffic, these transportation solutions make life easier for those who need to get from A to B.
Eco-Friendly
E-bikes and scooters produce zero emissions while being used in comparison to traditional cars, making them environmentally friendly alternatives. By using e-bikes or scooters instead of traditional vehicles, you can significantly reduce air pollution and their carbon footprint.
Cost-Effective
Riding an e-bike or e-scooter is generally more cost-effective than driving a car or even public transportation. They require less maintenance, and the cost of electricity to charge them is significantly lower than fuel for a car or bus fare. E-scooters or bikes also cost significantly less to buy than a car.
Health Benefits
There are also certain health benefits to using an e-scooter or bike. For instance, e-bikes still have the option of being used as traditional bicycles. So, if you want to pedal on the way to work or school, you can still. What’s even better is that the energy you produce from pedalling will be converted into electricity and charge your bike’s battery. Making the cost of running it even lower.
Accessibility
E-bikes and e-scooters are accessible to a wide range of people, including those who may not be able to use traditional bicycles due to physical limitations or fitness levels. The electric assistance makes riding these forms of transport easier for the disabled, allowing them to take part in the fun and have a convenient way of getting around.
Reduced Traffic Congestion
We’ve seen this happen in tons of Asian countries. Using motorbikes is often the go-to because they’re smaller and thus lead to less traffic congestion. Now let’s take things one step down in size and imagine how little traffic congestion there would be! Using e-bikes and e-scooters will solve traffic congestion and make travelling more efficient.
Flexibility
E-bikes and e-scooters also offer greater flexibility in terms of where they can go compared to cars or public transportation. They can access areas that may be off-limits to cars, such as pedestrian zones or bike paths, and can be parked easily in designated areas or even carried indoors for security.
Are there any downsides to using E-Bikes or Scooters?
It’s always good to consider the downside of something before diving in, but with e-bikes and scooters in regard to the environment, there are very few downsides. There are some practical issues to consider, like what happens when it rains if you need to transport larger items. But in this case, the pros seem to outweigh the cons.
Final Thoughts
In urban areas, many people already use e-bikes and scooters. For students, it’s a convenient way of getting to university; for those in the working classes, it’s the same. Interested in going electric? Give an e-scooter or e-bike a try, and you will find out what we mean when we say convenient.
