eBikes and eScooters — the high impact electric Vehicles
New Zealanders are voting with their thumbs and adopting electric bikes and scooters at an accelerating rate.
By Stephen Coulter & Krystyna Weston, Zipidi and Convenors of Asia Pacific Micromobility Alliance
NZ is a more mature and progressive market than Australia. Both electric bikes and scooters are available for private ownership and rental use. A recent survey of more than 20,000 New Zealanders found around 20% overall, and as many as 27% in some regions, are planning to buy an electric bike or scooter in the next 12 months.
Australia’s regressiveness in not allowing privately owned electric scooters and not legalising higher-powered throttle bikes (common globally) is slowing the adoption of eVehicles in Australia and prolonging greater use of polluting petrol-driven cars.
Electric vehicle intentions are also significant, with around 15% overall looking at an eVehicle purchase in the next 12 months.
Interestingly, older age groups are more likely to buy an electric bike or scooter, with over 23% of 55–64-year-olds planning a purchase next year.
Australia’s transport ministers vote on model laws this month for electric Personal Mobility Devices. Let’s hope this gets passed and rapidly adopted by all Australian states.
The full article is here:
