GeoMate

ELECTRIC TRANSIT: A POWERFUL, SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE

Fuel for Thought Poster; the following text overlayed on a blurry photo of a gas station. "An exploration of electric, public, and active transit as an affordable transportation alternative.

How much does it cost you to fill up your tank right now? Gas prices have remained steadily sky-high, and consumers are feeling the financial strain. Some commuters are considering alternative transportation methods to save money (and many of these options come with added benefits like sustainability). And while there are several alternatives, including public and active transit, electric transit is a major emerging transportation method worth exploring. 

ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION: THE BASICS

Electricity is a more sustainable fuel source than gasoline, and consumers have the option to use fully electric or hybrid (both electricity- and gasoline-fueled) vehicles. Typically, electric cars come to mind when envisioning electric transport, but these aren’t the only option. Depending on the location, residents may have access to a range of public transit and/or other micromobility services. This could include anything from e-bikes and e-scooters, to car and bike sharing services.  

Regardless of travel method, these alternatives allow commuters to mitigate or completely circumvent the impacts of the rising price of gas. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks to each option. 

An electric bike plugged into a charging station.

ELECTRIC CARS

Purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) is an obvious way to stave off the impact of gas prices for the consumer. And studies do suggest that purchasing an electric vehicle is more economical than a gas-powered one in the long run. However, electric vehicles are a large monetary investment, and for those most impacted by gas prices, this is likely not a financially accessible option. For many, electric public transit and micromobility services are a much more affordable option, as users do not assume the cost of the vehicle.  

Electric car charging port.

ELECTRIC PUBLIC TRANSIT

Across Canada and the US, municipalities are slowly adopting electric bus fleets, and with enough funding, we could see growth in this area. In fact, e-buses are projected to make up more than two thirds of buses globally by 2040.  

However, at this point, electric public transit is not a widespread phenomenon, and it’s only available in major cities and hubs – which, again, limits its accessibility, and therefore, its overall impact. And regardless of whether a local public transit system is powered by gas or electricity, public transportation comes with its own difficulties.  

ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY

Perhaps the most up-and-coming of the electric transport options are micromobility vehicles. Electric bikes and e-scooters are emerging as a transit method, and they can either be a part of a vehicle-sharing program or owned by an individual for personal use.  

Some commuters are partial to this method of transport because it tends to be more personalized than public transit: users find this option faster and easier, with more conveniently-located pick-up and drop-off locations (if these are specified at all). E-bikes and e-scooters provide a sustainable and relatively painless commute. They also open the door to more multi-modal transit as the standard: for example, walking part of a commute until an e-scooter becomes available, or renting from a bike-sharing service to gain easier access to a public transit route. And as public transit popularity has plummeted during the pandemic, the private and open-air nature of these micro-vehicles has appealed to commuters, addressing issues related to social distancing.  

However, concerns related to safety and accessibility do exist. Sidewalks and bike lanes have historically been intended for pedestrian and cyclist use – so we must consider how to maintain safe access for these commuters as new transportation methods emerge. One key step in this process is determining which areas currently have the infrastructure to support micromobility projects. With HD mapping, we can make more efficient and informed decisions about which areas pose safety and accessibility risks, and which are well-suited to support a thriving, multimodal transportation environment. 

Electric scooters parked on a sidewalk.

SO, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Using electricity to power movement is more sustainable than using gasoline. And while electric transit options exist across a broad range of budgets, commuters living in innovative and urban areas are much more likely to have access to the less expensive options. 

Overall, electric transit carries many upsides: it is more affordable (in the short- and/or long-term). It provides more sustainable transportation than gas-powered options. And new companies, such as those in the micromobility industry, are innovating greater flexibility and convenience for commuters.  

However, there are definitive drawbacks as well: most notably, the lack of access for those outside of urban areas, and the complexity of maintaining a safe and accessible commute for everybody within urban areas. As an extension of traditional public transit problems, living in a suburban or rural area presents a major obstacle to all electric transit options outside of personal EVs. And we need to ensure that as we embrace innovative mobility methods, we make smart planning and implementation decisions that maintain the safety and accessibility of sidewalks and bike lanes.  

We have all of the tools we need to make electric transit a more viable option as commuters wish to shift away from relying on gas-powered cars. Let’s make it a priority. We’d love to hear your ideas – contact us to start the conversation.