Environmental performance of shared micromobility and personal alternatives using integrated modal LCA

The environmental performance of shared micromobility services compared to private alternatives has never been assessed using an integrated modal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) relying on field data. Such an LCA is conducted on three shared micromobility services in Paris ? bikes, second-generation e-scooters, and e-mopeds - and their private alternatives. Global warming potential, primary energy consumption, and the three endpoint damages are calculated. Sensitivity analyses on vehicle lifespan, shipping, servicing distance, and electricity mix are conducted. Electric micromobility ranks between active modes and personal ICE modes. Its impacts are globally driven by the vehicle manufacturing. Ownership does not affect directly the environmental performance: the vehicle lifetime mileage does. Assessing the sole carbon footprint leads to biased environmental decision-making, as it is not correlated to the three damages: multicriteria LCA is mandatory to preserve the planet. Finally, a major change of paradigm is needed to eco-design modern transportation policies.

Automated summary

A comprehensive study in Paris compared the environmental performance of shared micromobility services to private alternatives through an integrated modal Life Cycle Assessment, revealing that electric micromobility falls between active modes and personal ICE modes with impacts primarily driven by vehicle manufacturing. Vehicle lifetime mileage has a significant effect on environmental performance, and solely focusing on carbon footprint can lead to biased decisions, highlighting the need for a multi-criteria LCA to protect the planet.