PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Electric cars play a role in reducing fossil fuel consumption and urban pollution, but they do not ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties, while the recycling of vehicles and batteries continues to be challenging. The use of light electric vehicles nevertheless has distinct advantages for short journeys and micromobility options have grown in popularity in Europe in recent years – for example, the market for e-bikes increased by 20% in 2020.
Although just 3% of respondents in Italy to a survey said that they have purchased an e-bike, around 30% reported that they would consider doing so, according to the Shimano 2020 Report. However, the uptake of e-bikes is hindered by a range of factors, including the short life of batteries, the relatively high replacement costs, difficulties in finding spare parts (including batteries), the negative image of sharing services linked to vehicles abandoned or vandalised, road safety issues and the lack of adequate micromobility infrastructure.
OBJECTIVES
The project LIFE2M aims to promote micromobility by developing innovative tools and by carrying out a series of communication campaigns. It also aims to reduce the environmental impact of micromobility by developing tools for decreasing the consumption of resources and energy and the generation of waste.
Specifically, the project aims to develop:
- Innovative accumulators based on hybrid supercapacitor (SC) technology that have a much longer life than current batteries, thus reducing the environmental impact and the total cost of ownership of micro-vehicles;
- Micromobility vehicles based on the models developed in the H2020 project LEONARDO using recyclable materials and adapted to use the new SC accumulators;
- Photovoltaic fast-charging stations using storage with the SC accumulators;
- Communication tools and campaigns to raise awareness on the benefits of micromobility; and
- Business models, strategies and best practices to ensure the sustainability of project results, both on the market and in the policy realm.
The project actions will be implemented in Palermo, L'Aquila and Florence.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Retrofit/introduction to the market of around 800 micro-vehicles (including e-kick scooters, bicycles and e-bikes, cargo bikes, and the LEONARDO vehicles modified for the use of SC).
- Creation of three photovoltaic fast-charging stations.
- Creation of a platform and app for data collection and monitoring.
- Development of business models and strategies for introducing developed vehicles to the market.
- Definition of guidelines for the safe circulation of micromobility vehicles along with plans for the expansion of the micromobility system implemented the three project sites to additional cities, with a view to reaching 9 600 micro-vehicles five years after project end.
Expected results within five years after project end:
- Reduction of energy consumption by 93%.
- Reduction atmospheric pollution by 95% (considering NOx, COVNM, CO and PM10).
- Reduction CO2 emissions by 85%.
- Elimination of battery waste considering that no batteries should be disposed of with the entire fleet of micro-vehicles replaced.
