Clean air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions with electric two and three-wheelers
Two and three-wheelers are the fastest growing transport mode in many low and middle-income countries. While Asia has the lion’s share of the global motorcycle fleet, growth rates of motorcycles in many African countries are some of the highest in the world. Today, about 270 million motorcycles are on the road with annual motorcycle sales accounting for about 52 million. By 2050 the global fleet of motorcycles is projected to account for more than 400 million vehicles, representing a 50 per cent increase compared to today.
However, many of these internal combustion engine, two and three-wheelers, are old and inefficient, thus emitting substantial amounts of particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC), a potent short-lived pollutant. Two-stroke scooters, for example, produce more particle emissions than a passenger car.
Experts agree that two and three-wheelers are the first priority in moving to electric mobility. Scenario calculations using the eMob calculator of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) show that assuming a steep and global shift to 90 per cent battery electric motorcycle sales by 2030 could result in CO2 emissions reductions of about 11 billion tonnes between now and 2050. At the same time, overall monetary savings stemming from lower fuel and maintenance costs and taking into account a higher purchase price of electric motorcycles could amount to about US $350 billion by 2050.
Given the rapid growth of two and three-wheeler fleets in developing and transitional countries, UNEP is supporting countries to develop national programmes for the introduction of electric two and three-wheelers in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.
This is the first global effort to introduce electric two and three-wheelers in countries not belonging to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and will start the transition from internal combustion engines to electric and non-motorized two and three-wheelers.
The work in the countries will be supported by the Global Thematic Working Group on Electric Two and Three-Wheelers hosted by UNEP, as well as the trainings and events carried out as part of the Regional Support and Investment Platforms.
The Global Working Group on Electric Two and Three-Wheelers will:
- Support the development of global and regional targets for the shift to electric mobility
- Provide policy advice and facilitate discussions to bring forward the global harmonization of e-mobility standards and regulations
- Develop tools to support e-mobility projects worldwide
The Regional Support and Investment Platforms will:
- Create communities of practice to share lessons and best practices
- Establish marketplaces to mobilise financing and bring together countries, cities, and e-mobility suppliers and financiers
- Provide technical support and training to countries and cities
- Provide a helpdesk for the countries and cities keen to introduce electric mobility
Currently, UNEP is supporting electric two and three-wheeler projects in sixteen countries in Africa and Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean: Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh (with UNDP), India, the Maldives and Nepal.
The eMob calculator of UNEP can be used for regional and national assessments of energy reduction, as well as greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission reduction potentials of shifting to electric motorcycles. It can also be used to develop a first-order of magnitude cost-benefit analysis, including technology costs, as well as fuel and maintenance savings stemming from a large-scale introduction of electric motorcycles.
