Electric bicycles can deliver the province of Utrecht an emission reduction of 320 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030, by replacing motorised trips over short and medium distances.
What it is
Electric bicycles are the most environmentally friendly form of motorised transport. A small battery motor makes hills manageable and longer rides feasible, so more people take the bike instead of more polluting transport. The battery charges from an ordinary socket, making e-bikes easy to fit into the existing built environment.
Potential in Utrecht
In the Netherlands the bicycle accounts for a quarter of all trips and plays a major role up to distances of about 15 kilometres. In 2020, 10.21% of bicycles were already electric. The plausible scenario assumes that by 2030 21.73% of bicycles are electric, yielding 190 kton reduction; the ambitious scenario assumes 37%, reaching 320 kton. E-bikes replace mopeds, motorcycles and cars in built-up areas and on rural roads.
Co-benefits
Although an e-bike emits slightly more than an ordinary bicycle, it still performs far better than a car — including an electric one. The step towards more e-bike use over medium distances is small, precisely in a highly urbanised region, and also brings health and accessibility gains.
Provincial policy
Utrecht is growing in population and jobs, which increases mobility and spatial pressure: longer travel distances and more criss-cross traffic. New measures around mobility and urbanisation are needed for accessibility and quality of life, and replacing part of motorised passenger transport with electric bicycles holds major potential.
In practice
Cleaning company Hago, which has cleaned the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences sites since 2019, gave all its staff an electric bicycle for their commute, in partnership with the university.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ can electric bicycles save in Utrecht?
According to this assessment, up to 320 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030 (ambitious scenario), or 190 kton in the plausible scenario.
For which distances are e-bikes suitable?
Mainly for short and medium distances up to about 15 kilometres, where the bicycle already handles a large share of trips in the Netherlands.
Is an e-bike cleaner than an electric car?
Yes, an e-bike emits far less per trip than a car, including an electric one, making it the cleanest form of motorised transport.
Source: Preliminary Climate Solutions Assessment for the province of Utrecht (Drawdown Europe & New Economy, 2021), based on the Project Drawdown methodology. Part of the sector-based climate action plan for the province of Utrecht.