Quantifying carbon reductions from mode substitution through shared electric mobility hubs in Greater Manchester

This study investigates the attitudes of 1139 participants towards eHUBS usage and daily travel patterns to assess the effectiveness of shared electric mobility hubs (eHUBS) in Greater Manchester. It explores the potential of eHUBS to replace conventional travel modes, including motor vehicles, public transport, and zero-carbon alternatives such as walking and cycling, while examining their integration with public transport and the associated carbon reduction benefits. Analysis indicates a consistent substitution rate of 30% to 35%, suggesting that eHUBS could increase public transport usage by 8% to 13% and reduce overall carbon emissions by 15% to 18% for journeys exceeding 5 km. The findings reveal that eHUBS, particularly e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, can enhance public transport utilisation for short-distance trips, while electric cars reduce reliance on motor vehicles for longer journeys. Although substituting walking and cycling with eHUBS marginally raises emissions for shorter trips, this impact is minimal compared to the overall reduction achieved. This study underscores the significant role of eHUBS in supporting modal shifts and emissions reduction, contributing to more sustainable urban mobility.