Electro mobility: charging stations study and electro- motorcycles pilot

Summary

Like most western cities, Tel Aviv-Yafo is constantly looking at ways for reducing pollution and greenhouse emissions. To this end the municipality is spearheading a gradual transition to new automotive technologies, and foremost among them e-vehicles.

Implementing sustainable mobility

The work carried out within the measure comprised of two main tasks: 

• A demonstration pilot replacing 15 of the municipality’s motorcycle fleet with e-motorcycles;
• A feasibility study on the recommended alternatives for the deployment of charging stations. The study looked at infrastructure needed, where it should be provided and who should provide it, as well as the city’s role in this process and in deploying an appropriate EV infrastructure while considering issues such as jurisdiction, current national policies and the private market status.

Progress

At the beginning of 2013 test drives were carried out for three models available in Israel.

Two models were found to have almost identical scores based on the test drives and these were chosen for the pilot: the ERider Puma E9000 and the Blitz 6000.15 e-motorcycles were purchased for the year-long pilot and participants were determined by the fleet manager based on level of use. 

Outcomes

Evaluation focused on periodic feedback surveys carried out during the implementation phase to assess the use of the e-motorbikes. Based on the results of the first two rounds of feedback survey the riding experience of the pilot study participants was mediocre to poor, with regards to both models of e-motorcycles participating in the pilot.

Based on this feedback and ongoing discussions with the importer/manufacturer of one of the models (E Puma E9000), the vehicle was improved and adapted to meet the needs of the municipality. The upgrades and improvements made to the E9000 greatly increased work capacity and acceptance of the e-motorcycles

By the third round of feedback survey the riding experience on the improved e-motorcycle model had gone from mediocre at best to good. The results regarding the other model remained poor.

There was also an increase in the riders’ perception of safety. In the first round 65% said they felt ‘ok’ or ‘safe’ to ride the e-motorcycles which rose to 73% by the third round – after the alterations were made to the motorcycles.

The CBA carried out proved that e-motorcycles are an economically viable option with a benefit cost ratio of 2.6 (excluding environmental costs) and 3.26 including environmental costs.

The current e-vehicle market in Israel (excluding pedelecs and e-scooters) is almost non-existent. The feasibility study on the deployment of charging stations provides guidelines of what and where with regards to charging infrastructure for when the market matures. In the meantime, as part of the municipality's bylaw regulating green building a code was approved mandating preparation for charging points for e-vehicles. The number of charging points will be a minimum of 5% of the parking spaces in each new build in the city. The regulations were published prior to a public hearing and came into force at the beginning of September 2016.