Emergence of Electric-Powered Two-Wheelers on Asian Roads

Cities in the developing world are experiencing rapid motorization. In Asian cities, the fleets of two-wheelers are growing particularly fast, with electric bikes (e-bikes) driving much of that growth, especially in China, where more than 200 million e-bikes are on the roads. This study aimed to provide elements to further the understanding of the environmental implications of the fast growth of e-bikes by examining their energy efficiency, effect on local air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings show that e-bikes have a positive environmental performance, with high energy efficiency compared with other transport modes and benefits for public health as a result of zero tailpipe emissions. The findings need to be weighed by the fact that e-bikes have higher accident rates and are a strong competitor for public transport that could threaten the financial sustainability of public transport and reduce its ability to shape the urban form in a more sustainable way.