Title Research on the Impact of Shared e-scooters on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2/2)
Dept Transportation Energy and Environment Division
Year 2024
Month 5
Price 240
Summary         Taiwan’s Climate Change Response Act Article 4 states that the long-term national GHG emission reduction goal is to achieve GHG net-zero emission by 2050. In a press conference held by the National Development Council on
December 28, 2022, the “Stage Goals and Key Strategies for Net Zero Transition” were announced. Taiwan’s carbon reduction target for 2030 was adjusted from a 20% carbon emissions reduction compared to the base year of 2005, to
a more ambitious target of 24% ±1%. As a result, more stringent control targets for future phases are inevitable, and other measures with GHG reduction benefits must be proposed. Since Taiwan has the highest scooter density in the
world, and most are fueled scooters, shared transportation emphasizes the right to use vehicles rather than ownership.
Moreover, vehicle electrification should have a GHG reduction effect. Therefore, this project has focused on the impact of using shared e-scooters on transportation GHG emissions.
        In the second year(2022), we conducted a questionnaire survey in Taipei, (which covered the entire city), and in Kaohsiung, (which covered 10 administrative districts). We adopted the “Dual Frame Telephone Survey” Method and
obtained 1,268 valid samples (1,068 via landline and 200 via mobile phone) for each city. We then used the Raking method until it was consistent with the population structure. The results indicate that the percentage of shared e-scooter
users in Taipei is about 23.0%, and in Kaohsiung it is about 12.0%. However, more than half of the respondents in both cities have no intention of using shared e-scooters.
        Based on the questionnaire survey results, shared e-scooters not only have a high potential for replacing private scooters, but also have a high potential to replace public transit and non-motorized transports if the green transportation
environment is well established. According to the survey results combined with the registered scooter number in 2021, it is estimated that Taipei City could potentially see a reduction of approximately 1.1% (roughly 10,200 scooters) in
scooter ownership, while Kaohsiung City is about 0.9% (roughly 16,300 scooters). This implies that the adoption of shared e-scooters holds the potential to mitigate scooter ownership. Additionally, “Convenience” is a critical factor for
both current and potential users of shared e-scooters, and the primary consideration for unwilling shared e-scooters users, however, is the “habit of using their own motor vehicles.” As for the acceptable pick-up time (distance), the ideal
range is within 5 minutes (approximately within 300 meters).
        This project utilizes the survey results combined with secondary data, incorporating parameters related to public transportation both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic into the scenario design. Through analysis, the current
use of shared electric scooters provides carbon reduction benefits. The estimated carbon reduction per use of a shared e-scooter in Taipei (with an average travel distance of approximately 4.19–4.35 kilometers) is around 128–149gCO2e,
while in Kaohsiung (with an average travel distance of approximately 3.59–3.67 kilometers) is around 191–208gCO2e.
        However, it is crucial to note that a portion of the carbon reduction benefits is derived from substituting for public transportation. In other words, it may be inadequate and inconsistent with the government’s objective of promoting
public transportation development. It is suggested that the position of shared e-scooters should be to replace private motor vehicles and serve as one of the options for the first and last miles of public transit. As for complementary measures, these depend on the local governments to tailor them according to regional transportation environments and policy directions.
Post date 2024/05/24
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