Analysis of the environmental impact of e-scooter sharing services considering product reliability characteristics and durability

Abstract

Electric stand-up scooters become increasingly popular for both private and shared use. They are a mass product but need to be adapted to different use cases or the local conditions of different cities. However, the sustainability of electric scooters is a matter of public debate, especially because of their short lifetime. Studies show that the reliability of e-scooters is one of the main factors influencing their environmental impact during their life cycle. This paper addresses the research question of the potential advantages and disadvantages of a reliable electric scooter from the perspective of ecological sustainability. It shows how reliability characteristics, especially durability, can affect product sustainability of mass customized products like e-scooters. The paper uses life cycle assessment (LCA) as a methodology. It suggests approaches to include reliability characteristics into LCA and life cycle engineering. Using the three case studies of electric scooters as an example, it outlines the influence of innovation cycles and modular design of batteries, of component durability and scooter lifetime as well as different maintenance strategies on the environmental impact of e-scooter sharing. Altogether the paper discusses possible trade-off between the advantages and disadvantages of improved reliability on the life cycle performance of e-scooters.