What is Zero Emission Mobility?

There are more and more ways to move around cities without harming the environment: electric motorcycles are perfect for short trips, there are more and more bicycles available to citizens, and electric cars are slowly gaining ground -but sure- about gasoline cars.

In addition, micro-mobility is one of the strong bets by the different public administrations, so no one is surprised to find a regulation for the use of electric scooters in cities, as well as the adaptation of new lanes for circulation in bicycles through the streets.

All this points to a significant change, but will we achieve total zero-emission mobility? What would reaching this milestone mean for cities and their inhabitants? We are entering a future where we use clean energy to move around cities: the future is one of zero-emission mobility.

Zero Emissions Mobility: Getting Closer

Although we are still far from reaching that desirable point where every vehicle in circulation will work with non-polluting energy sources, the leading countries’ commitment to encouraging zero-emission mobility is already a reality.

The data on the expansion of electric vehicles are encouraging. Although their growth is slow (the infrastructures that become necessary are an essential limiter), the truth is that their progress is being continued over time. 

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For example, 5.4% of the cars sold in the year 2020 in the European Union were electric (with a rise of 5% since 2014); on the other hand, 11.9% of the cars sold were hybrids (which use a combination of gasoline and electric battery to run). 

The data places the electric or hybrid car at 1.8% of the total number of cars in circulation (with 562,000 units). Although these may seem like small numbers, they demonstrate the unstoppable advance of zero-emission mobility options. Suppose we add this to the solid commitment to micro-mobility in large cities. In that case, the future is hopeful for both cities and their inhabitants.

Whose Responsibility Is It To Achieve Zero Emissions Mobility?

Reaching a point where any mobility option generates zero emissions is a task of joint responsibility between public administrations, companies from the various sectors involved (automotive, mobility, urban transport…) and, ultimately, citizens.

But how and to what extent do each of these agents become involved in a world with zero emissions?

Public Administrations

The transition to zero-emission mobility has to overcome a significant challenge: adapting infrastructures for new vehicles that use sustainable energy sources to function.

For example, the use of the electric scooter will hardly spread if the streets are not safe for its users; Nor will the purchase of electric cars continue to grow if the necessary recharging points are not provided to guarantee the supply of energy to its users, or if public aid is not promoted to encourage their acquisition.

To continue promoting zero-emission mobility, the main cities are already proposing measures to facilitate its adoption by citizens. An example is aid from the Community of Madrid, where discounts are offered on purchasing electric battery scooters, bicycles and motorcycles, among other aid measures for zero-emission mobility.

The Companies in The Sector

The role of the business ecosystem is also decisive in promoting transport initiatives under absolute values ​​of sustainability and improvement of the environment in cities. 

From micro-mobility companies (scooters, cars and electric bicycles) to car manufacturers, they must commit to developing products in line with a zero-emissions future. An excellent example in the automotive field is that of Toyota, which under its Beyond Zero vision, continues to be the benchmark in the marketing of electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric hybrid cars. 

The Citizens

Nothing that administrations or companies propose in favour of sustainability is going to have a positive effect on the goal of achieving zero-emission mobility if we citizens do not firstly adopt the different sustainable mobility options in our daily lives. Day.

For example, opting for active mobility; choosing low-emission transport options (from the traditional bicycle to the electric motorcycle); even opting for carsharing for short trips within our city. 

In short, mobility with low polluting emissions is a challenge for everyone, but we are getting closer to the goal. And you, do you practice zero-emission mobility?

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