Masses of people crowd the street and stalls suffocate the sidewalks while bicycles, scooters and pedicabs careen through the masses … somehow — many with stacks of boxes and other cargo precariously balancing in the back. Crowding forces people off the sidewalks and out into the streets, hindering the already impaired traffic flow. The few cars and trucks move slowly, their horns blaring constantly, but making little progress. Sometimes you can almost see through the smoke and haze to imagine the smells and the noise. This chaotic scene is familiar to most of us in the western world from TV shows and movies that feature third- and second-world countries.

For the most part, our own urban streets seem civilized by comparison, with cars and pedestrians moving in controlled progression under constant control of timed stoplights or traffic cops. Dedicated through- and turn-lanes, directional control, and signage inform us where we should go. Curbs protect the sidewalks and cleanly marked crosswalks facilitate an efficient flow of pedestrians.

But for all our regimented civilized activity, we still contribute massive amounts of air pollution through our use of petroleum-powered vehicles. This latest session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) has concluded and Bill Spindle reports in Cipher, the final agreement among the participants, is to “’transition’ from fossil fuels ‘in a just, orderly and equitable manner’ while ‘accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.’” In addition, “More than 120 countries agreed in a side deal to strive to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency.”

The good news is that, to this end, many countries have already been promoting electric vehicle use over gasoline vehicles. The December 9 New York Times reported, “The shift to electric mobility overall has reduced global oil demand by 1.8 million barrels every day, according to BloombergNEF, a research arm of Michael Bloomberg’s financial data and media company. Two- and three-wheelers account for 60 percent of that reduction, or 1.08 million barrels … Taken together, cars and smaller electric vehicles are projected to displace only 4 percent of total oil demand this year. Still, their growth is vital to the energy transition because transportation accounts for about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of all the changes the world is making to slow further warming, electric vehicle sales are the only category on track to meet climate goals, according to an exhaustive independent study.”

“Electric vehicles also solve the more immediate problem of air pollution, which the World Health Organization links to an estimated seven million premature deaths annually … The big shift to tiny electric vehicles is underappreciated in the United States and Europe, where, despite the popularity of electric bicycles and scooters, the focus has been mainly on cars.”

“The global majority, though, doesn’t roll on four wheels … In Nairobi and Hanoi, motorcycles serve as taxis. In Mumbai, scooters can carry a family of four. In China, electric bicycles are how millions commute.”

Electric and hybrid vehicles are demonstrating their utility and effectiveness in reducing air pollution and fossil fuel use. “Electric bikes are quieter, much more efficient and good for the environment,” said Jesse Forrester, the founder of Mazi Mobility, which has 60 electric motorcycle taxis, known as boda-bodas, on the roads in Nairobi. “There’s a quiet revolution now in Kenya driving this transformation for the future.”

“Mr. Forrester’s firm is among several competing to establish an electric two-wheeler ecosystem, selling or assembling imported bikes, installing chargers and working with lenders to offer cheap credit… Elsewhere, established motorcycle manufacturers are rolling out battery-powered models, including an electric scooter for under $1,800 by India-based Hero MotoCorp. Ride-sharing companies, like Ola, also based in India, are getting in on the business. And Honda recently said it was investing $3.4 billion with the aim of selling four million electric motorcycles a year by 2030.”

“The biggest obstacle to small electric vehicles is government policy. Countries like Mexico that subsidize oil rather than batteries have few electric two- and three-wheelers…”

However, as shown by the COP28 results, the reality of the science and technology is finally catching up with the politics and skewed economics of fossil fuels. Who knows, maybe before too long we can all take a deep breath of relief — with some cleaner air.   

Additional information:

Somini Sengupta, Abdi Latif Dahir, Alex Travelli and Clifford Krauss, Tiny Electric Vehicles Pack a Bigger Climate Punch Than Cars, Dec. 9, 2023, The New York Times

Bill Spindle, Top Takeaways from Historic COP28 Deal On Fossil Fuels, Cipher, Dec 13, 2023