Shared transport study points to huge emissions reduction (again)
A new analysis of daily commutes by UK commuters reiterates the case for more e-bike and e-scooter rental schemes.
According to the CoMoUK study, if people currently travelling short distances for work using a car switched to electric alternatives, some 1million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be saved annually in the UK.
This means around 1% of Great Britain’s total domestic travel emissions could be cut through adoption of shared e-scooter and e-bike schemes. However, if car clubs are also taken into account the reduction could be significantly increased, with the potential to remove 1.6million cars from the country’s roads if everyone who could signed up to join. In doing so, 20 square kilometres of road space would be freed up – the same as 1,700 football pitches.
These results were taken from a study based on the 2021 census in England and Wales, and information from shared transport users, and basing wider estimates and projections on characteristics of existing travel club member. From this, CoMoUK argues that 7.2million more households, or 29% of the national total, could use car clubs. If that happened, 1.8billion car kilometres could be cut.
‘There is enormous and unrealised potential for this innovative sector to take more cars off our roads, cut traffic congestion further, improve our air quality and help us reach net zero,’ said Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK. ‘Greenhouse gas emissions from surface transport remain stubbornly high, and urgent action is needed. This is why we are calling for shared transport to be given the funding and priority it deserves from decisionmakers at all levels of government.’
More transport:
Tyre particles must be considered ‘distinct environmental threat’
Aviation sector has two years to meet emissions reductions targets
Image: Mika Baumeister via Unsplash