The most energy-efficient mode of zero-emission urban transport
Jaroslav Kme?
Business Leader, Director General, ex-Government CIO, ex-Deputy Minister of Transport, Telco and Post | Ex HP, CSC, DXC, Oracle | 20+ years of experience in Public sector, IT, Telco and Banking | LION >26k connections.
Michal Sura [email protected]
Transportation accounts for roughly a quarter of all energy-related CO2 emissions and is the main cause of air pollution in cities. Emissions from urban passenger transportation could be reduced by using zero-emission vehicles. Energy prices are rising because we are reducing energy production from fossil fuels and want to generate more green energy. Energy is quickly becoming a valuable commodity and in our brief analysis, we would like to find the most energy-efficient, zero-emission urban mode of transport.?
Walking
Walking in urban areas is one of the most recommended physical activities because it is simple, inexpensive, and widely accepted by the city population (Figure 1). An 80 kg person who is 180 cm tall and walks at 4 km/h for one hour expends 225 kcal of energy(1), that is 0.26 kWh and 0.065 kWh/km.
Figure 1.
Bike
Urban biking is an effective and healthy way to get around town? (Figure 2). An 80 kg, 180 cm tall cyclist who rides a bike at a speed of 15 km/h for one hour expends 434 kcal of energy (2), that is after conversion and calculation 0.037 kWh/km.
Figure 2.
E-bike
An electric bicycle is a motorized bicycle equipped with an integrated electric motor that assists a cyclist in propulsion (Figure 3). The energy consumption of the electric bicycle depends on a share of the force generated by cyclists. The electricity consumption was calculated to be 0.0125 kWh/km after traveling 15 kilometers at an average speed of 22.4 kilometers per hour with the assistance of the cyclist through the bicycle pedals at starting until reaching a speed of 5 km/h (3).
Figure 3.
E-kick scooter
Electric kick scooters have become a symbol of modern urban transport (Figure 4). Urban electric kick scooters are a very efficient way to commute in style. They became a great way for adults to get around the city. The electric kick scooter equipped with a 350 W electric motor has a consumption of 0.006 kWh/km (4).
Figure 4.
E-scooter
Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation in cities (Figure 5). They are convenient and near-maintenance free modes of transportation due to low energy costs and near-zero maintenance. A typical efficient electric scooter can achieve consumption of 0.018 kWh/km (5).
Figure 5.
Electric car
Electric cars represent a significant step in the right direction to greener transportation (Figure 6). A typical energy-efficient five-seater electric car consumes 150 Wh/km of energy. that is 30 Wh/km per seat; taking an average occupancy rate of most frequent car trips is 1.7 persons/car in the EU (5), that is 0.088 kWh/km per passenger.
Figure 6.
Hydrogen car
Fuel cell electric vehicles promise zero tailpipe emissions (Figure 7). A typical five-seater hydrogen car consumes 1kg of hydrogen per 100 km. It is 336 Wh/ km. The average occupancy rate is 1.7 persons/car in the EU (5), that is 0.198 kWh/km per passenger.
Figure 7.
Light train
Light trains are operated in some metropolitan areas and they are powered by overhead electrical wires (Figure 8). A modern electric train consumes 30 Wh/km per seat, or 0.050 kWh/km per passenger (7).
Figure 8.
领英推荐
Tram
Trams appear to be an expensive investment for a city because they require quit installation of permanent tracks and overhead wires (Figure 9). In addition, built infrastructure must be operated and maintained. Trams are significantly heavier than buses and require more energy to get moving from a standstill. A tram consumes 0.047 kWh/km per passenger (8).
Figure 9.
Electric bus
The electric bus, like some trams, has an electric motor, but it also needs to carry its own energy supply in the form of a battery (Figure 10). Trams are significantly heavier than buses. An electric bus consumes 0.033 kWh/km per passenger (8).
Figure 10.
When we summarized everything and created Chart 1, we discovered that riding an electric kick scooter is the most energy-efficient mode of urban transportation. Many people would assume that the most energy-efficient is walking, but it isn't. In terms of energy consumption, walking is one of the least efficient modes of transportation. It may not be very energy efficient, but it is an excellent way to improve or maintain your overall health. Two-wheeled vehicles are very efficient, but their ride requires favorable weather. According to our predictions, hydrogen vehicles are the least efficient in terms of energy consumption. As we can see, the average occupied electric car is not one of the most energy-efficient modes of transportation in the city, but when fully occupied, its energy efficiency is comparable to that of an electric bus. The results of electricity consumption in the case of public shared mobility assume an average number of passengers using these modes of transportation. It is obvious that driving style clearly has a significant impact on energy consumption. This analysis does not take into account all possible circumstances, it only gives an approximate overview of energy consumption by vehicles.
Chart 1.
References:
6, Mobility data across the EU 28 member states https://rb.gy/ssnru5
Versatile Software Developer | Proficient in Python | Problem-Solver with a Broad Perspective | Passionate About Clean Energy & Tech Innovation
10 个月Good analysis. Presentation suffers from decimal confusion though. Better to present the values as Wh/km to make it more easily understandable as people more or less immediately get integers.
Technical Energy Advisor at énergie New Brunswick Power
1 年Considering that trams generally carry more passengers than busses.... The research below seems to contradict the findings above. Article here: https://medium.com/@blaisekelly/why-trams-are-cheaper-than-buses-6d929192624a#:~:text=However%2C%20per%20passenger%2C%20the%20electric,for%20the%20diesel%20engine%20bus.&text=Tram%20tracks%20also%20spread%20this,entire%20width%20of%20a%20road. References and working out Bombardier Tram info:?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_CR4000 London Routemaster Bus info:?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Routemaster I haven't double checked her math, but I assume she is fairly accurate.
Senior Devops Engineer
1 年One can consider an electric motorcycle. In urban areas it is averaging 4-5kWh / 100, so 40-50Wh/km. I have been commuting on a BEV motorcycle the last few months and the efficiency is supreme. Total consumption (so including highway speeds) is around 6-7kWh / 100km. Which is around a third of a BEV car, which is already a good step in the right direction.
The CEO of OneWoodTop and a Management Board Advisor at Triggo S.A.
1 年Thanks for sharing! Open minded insights indeed :-)
Chemistry Consultant / Lithium Battery Expert
2 年Thanks to you and your colleague Michal Sura for a very interesting article and comparison of the energy efficiency of different modes of transportation around the city. Of particular interest is your conclusion that walking is not an economical way to get around the city, and electric kick scooter is the most energy-efficient mode of urban transportation. Also, very curious is the fact that the hydrogen car is not very efficient and consumes 1kg of hydrogen per 100 km ( 336 Wh/ km). I think it will be very useful to continue this important topic!