E-Mobility in Different Countries Around the World

Different countries have adopted different strategies and policies to promote the uptake of EVs. This article aims to give an overview of the status of E-Mobility around the world. Let’s take a look at some examples:

E-Mobility in Cuenca, Ecuador:

E-Mobility represents a great opportunity for the city to move away from fossil fuel consumption and towards more sustainable ways of meeting people’s transport needs.

Changes:

• Today, the city authorities are working with various institutions and stakeholders in the transport and energy sectors to develop Cuenca’s E-Mobility plan.
• The city has also invested in public transport to reduce traffic congestion: by 2020, Cuenca had inaugurated the first tram system in Ecuador, with 27 stations covering 20.4 km. The city is working to introduce its first e-bus fleet with funding from the German development bank ‘Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau’ (KfW, Credit Institute for Reconstruction).

Electric bus in Cuenca, Ecuador. TUMI (n.d.)

E-Mobility in Singra, Bangladesh:

This town in northern Bangladesh may be remote, but it is pioneering the use of E-Mobility. Singra is an example of how public transport can be made safe and sustainable in rural South Asia.

Changes:

• In 2018, Singra applied to the TUMI competition for innovative and environmentally friendly approaches to mobility worldwide and was selected for a pilot project. Almost a year later, it became the proud owner of 10 e-rickshaws and two e-ambulances.
• By 2021, the city started to develop its next big idea: battery-powered boats. Boats are an important mode of transport, and Singra is looking for alternatives. 

Electric three-wheeler in Singra, Bangladesh. GIZ (2021)

E-Mobility in Lviv, Ukraine:

Lviv is a city that has different examples of E-Mobility and plans to improve them in the next few years.

Changes:

• The city is working to extend and renovate routes and gradually replace the fleet with low- to zero-emission vehicles. In addition to the 10 trams, 50 new trolleybuses and 150 new regular buses have been purchased. This will expand public transport services and improve CO2 emissions as the buses are equipped with more efficient technology.
• The development of an E-Mobility Plan for Lviv started in August 2021. The development was based on qualitative questionnaires, workshops, stakeholder discussions and presentations. The plan is currently being finalized and is expected to be published by the Lviv City Council in the summer of 2023.

Trolleybus in the streets of Lviv, Ukraine. Wikimedia Commons (n.d.)

E-Mobility in Adétikopé, Togo:

The transport sector is responsible for a large proportion of CO2 emissions in Africa. The ‘M Auto Electric’ (MAUTO) project is tackling this issue by replacing traditional means of transport with electric motorcycles.

Changes:

• MAUTO began introducing its electric two- and three-wheelers in Togo in 2021. Since then, they have also started to introduce their services in other African countries and plan to expand further in the coming years.
• Electric motorcycles are intended for taxis, delivery services, and individual use. The aim is to recharge the vehicles using mainly solar energy.

Two electric bikes in Togo. Aera Group (2022)

E-Mobility in Santiago de Chile, Chile:

Chile’s E-Mobility results outcomes can encourage other cities in the region to reduce the carbon footprint of their fleets.

Changes:

• Chile has taken several actions that have facilitated the E-Mobility transition in Santiago, such as the long-term planning of concrete actions.
• Public policy instruments have been developed and are currently in place to drive Chile’s e-transition, such as the National E-Mobility Strategy and the Energy Efficiency Law. Chile expects 100 percent use of e-buses by 2040 and 100 percent electric taxis by 2050. Working with the private sector has been an imperative, since public transport is run by private companies.

Group of colleagues from TUMI in front of electric buses in Chile. TUMI (2022)

Conclusion:

E-Mobility is advancing rapidly around the world, with different approaches in different regions. While some countries are offering economic incentives and government policies to encourage the uptake of EVs, others are investing heavily in charging infrastructure.

As global demand for sustainable transport continues to grow, E-Mobility is expected to evolve and expand globally.