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The Climate Effect of E-bikes

Authors: Inga Margrete Ydersbond, Knut Veisten
Report nr: 1691/2019
ISBN (digital version): 978-82-480-2224-4
Language: Norwegian
Attachments Summary
Full report - in Norwegian only
Sammendrag

Increased use of e-bikes (pedelecs) may contribute to the attainment of important targets in transport, climate and health policy. This study investigates what promotes and hinders the use of e-bikes in Norway, in addition to the effect of e-bike use on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results show that important promoting factors are: economic parameters (e.g. price), smart transport planning, climate- and environmental motivations, time savings and practicality, and health motivations. Important barriers to increased use are: insufficient planning and infrastructure for biking, the weather, economic barriers, conflict situations between different road users, and insecurity and lack of knowledge. The study makes an economic analysis of two support measures for buying private e-bikes, and finds that they have contributed to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from daily transport. One support measure yielded larger reductions, while the other measure yielded better economic results for society. Vi lack good data about the use of e-bikes among municipal employees. Thus, it is hard to calculate the climate effect of use of e-bikes among municipal employees. The most important positive climate effect of municipal investments in e-bikes (both directly for their employees as well as contributing to loaning facilities) today seems to be that those who try an e-bike may subsequently buy an e-bike privately. These private e-bikes have a net positive effect on the reduction of GHG emissions because they substitute private car use to a substantial extent. What is the most important climate effect may, however, change over time.

      

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