2022 Volume 77 Issue 5 Pages I_565-I_572
This paper presents the findings of a low-carbon assessment of micro electric vehicles (MEVs) from the viewpoint of their use patterns. The evaluation is based on the results of a series of empirical studies conducted in the cities of Mimasaka and Akaiwa in Okayama Prefecture, which were carried out by lending MEVs to a total of 34 people for a period of one month. Using the behavioural data collected from the studies, this paper 1) estimates CO2 emissions associated with the implementation of MEVs and 2) verifies the growth and reduction potential of CO2 emissions based on the change in use patterns of users. Our calculations found that MEVs possess a higher potential in reducing environmental load in comparison with gasoline vehicles (GVs) whilst in motion. Furthermore, 79% of the users displayed use patterns inclined to reducing CO2 emissions during the empirical study period. On the other hand, 18% exhibited patterns that are likely to result in increasing CO2 emissions such as new travel behaviour and mode change from means of transport that do not release CO2 (walking and bicycles) to MEVs.
