The Electric Transport Revolution
For some time now the government along with local councils throughout the UK have been looking at ways of reducing our reliance on our motor vehicles and may be now with the emergence of the electric transport revolution that is happenign right now, they might just be in with a chance of change.
Research has found that as much as 60% of car trips are between 1 to 3 miles and the majority of which are made by the driver alone, causing local air pollution which is bad for health and CO2 emissions, impacting on climate change.
With the recently anounced climate emergency, there is an urgent need by many local councils to reduce unnecessary car usage in order to lower carbon emissions, reduce air pollution and congestion and improve health and wellbeing.
The progress of the electirc transport revolution is only just beginning with e-motorbikes, e-mopeds, e-scooters and e-bikes, growing in popularity with many local councils now trialing e-scooters as a possible local emmision free transport alternative to the motor vehicle.
More than 50 councils have currently shown an interest in running these e-scooter trials with many schemes up and running with e-scooters for hire around the major cities and towns.
However, despite some legal trials of hired e-scooters, owning one and riding it on UK roads currently remains illegal.
E-scooter trials are currently taking place in Bristol, Bath and Yeovil here in the Southwest as well as other locations across the country. To hire an e-scooter you need to be at least 16 years old and hold a provisional drivers licence.
Only e-scooters hired or leased through this trial can be used legally on public land.
“They can’t be ridden on pavements but they can be ridden on roads and cycle lanes.
We would stronly recommend wearing a helmet.
So what happens if you get caught?
If you decide to take the risk of riding your own e-scooter on a public road and are caught by the police, they are allowed to confiscate your e-scooter, as well as issuing an on-the-spot fine and adding up to six points on your driving license. The requirements to rent a scooter also mean you require at least a provisional driving license or a moped license
And the alternatives?
So we have covered e-scooter and they offer an exciting future with an alternative to the motor vehicle but unless they are part of the trials currently taking place, it remains illegal to ride your privately owned e-scooters on the road. So what are the alternatives to the e-scooter if your eager to revolutionise your daily commute.
e-bike
Electric bikes offer an alternative to short car journeys and public transport. They can help assist you up to 15.5mph. The cost of running an electric bike is approximately 8p per mile compared to an average cost of 80p for a car. Unlike motorbikes you do not need an MOT, Insurance or Tax for an electric bike. You can also ride electric bikes on cycle paths.
e-mopeds
E-mopeds - Using an e-moped will help you reduce your carbon footprint and possibly help reduce local congestion if it replaces your motorcar for those short journeys. As with a standard moped, you will be required to be 16 years of age and hold a provisional driver’s licence, a CBT certificate, Insurance, current MOT for the moped and of course road tax.
e-motorbikes
E-motorbikes - As with the e-moped above an e-motorbike will help you reduce your carbon footprint and help create a nicer local environment with less pollution, noise and congestion compared to using a motorcar. E-motorbikes are capable of much higher speeds when compared to the e-moped. You will need to be at least 17 years of age for an e-motorbike and hold the appropriate driving licence, insurance, MOT and tax.
Safety First
With all of the above forms of transport, remaining safe should also be your first priority.
Thank you for reading our post on the e-alternative to the motorcar. You can find your way back to our driving school website here