Environmental evaluation and effectiveness of electric-assist bicycle for a local transportation

Abstract

Life cycle environmental impact of an electric-assist bicycle has been discussed, and the effectiveness of such bicycle is compared with existing transportation from the viewpoints of carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. In life cycle environmental evaluation, in-vehicle fuel cell power generator is applied as an energy source for the electric-assist bicycle as well as commercial purchased electricity. Its transportation with scooter, passenger car and light truck are chosen for comparison. Accordingly, the environmental impact affecting factors of each type of transportation device are shown. As a result, the electric-assist bicycle is found to be effective for short-distance transport of as in a factory or a local transportation.