Do shared e-mopeds contribute to reduce GHG emissions? Insight from Spanish cities

Abstract

The rapid growth of shared mobility services is transforming urban transportation. However, concerns have arisen regarding their environmental benefits and the potential substitution of more sustainable modes. This paper examines the environmental impact of shared electric moped services in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia using a life cycle assessment approach based on 2022 trip data from an important operator. Additionally, a user survey was conducted to estimate the modal shift caused by these services and assess their net environmental impact. The findings indicate that production phase significantly contributes to the overall global warming potential of shared e-moped services, and offer mixed environmental benefits depending on usage patterns. The reduction in emissions across the three cities is minimal when trips are replaced by e-moped services. The paper suggests that enhancing performance in various stages, particularly in production, rebalancing, and extending the lifespan of the vehicles will help reduce their global warming impacts.