When you see the urban focus of last mile delivery and rideshare schemes, it is easy to fixate on large population centers. Big cities, young people and lots of short trips make business viable.
The support of local municipalities also lends a hand to potential entrepreneurs with parking infrastructure, while banks seem to intuitively understand that “sustainability” attached to any proposal is good for their overarching agendas.
In rural areas the same metrics apply with a completely different result: E-mobility is not cost effective. No bank is providing electric scooters to out of the way parishes on the Orkneys. But if the core argument is about green fuels and sustainable communities, that should be on the agenda too?
The Challenge of Rural Transport
- Limited Public Transport Infrastructure: Many rural communities lack reliable public transport options, with few buses or trains serving remote areas. This means residents often rely on personal vehicles for everyday tasks, creating an opportunity for ride-sharing services to fill a transportation gap.
- Lower Population Density: Unlike urban areas with dense populations where ride-sharing is economically viable, rural areas have lower population densities. This can make it difficult for companies to offer services that make sense from a business perspective without significant subsidies or innovative models.
The Promise of Ride-sharing & E-mobility in Rural Areas
- Access to Affordable Transport: E-mobility solutions such as electric bikes (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and electric vehicles (EVs) can be especially valuable in rural areas where traditional vehicles may be cost-prohibitive. These options not only reduce fuel consumption, but also lower the overall cost of transport for individuals, particularly in communities with fewer economic opportunities.
- Environmental Benefits: By promoting e-mobility options such as e-bikes and electric cars, rural areas can contribute to an overall transportation network. Electrifying rural transport offers an alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. Additionally, e-mobility infrastructure (e.g., solar-powered charging stations) can be integrated into rural development projects.
- Rural Ride-sharing Networks: Implementing ride-sharing solutions like platforms for ride-hailing or carpooling in rural areas can reduce the dependency on single-occupancy vehicles. Programs like this would allow locals to share rides to common destinations (e.g., work, schools, markets), making transportation more efficient and cost-effective.
- Increased Mobility and Connectivity: Ride-sharing platforms can enhance access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, and employment. Rural residents who are often socially isolated would be better connected to larger towns or cities, where they can access vital services.
- Last mile Delivery in rural settings. This topic requires a full post- E bikes for delivery – The principle is that in urban settings the last mile is the most difficult due to congestion, but in rural locations the last mile is difficult due to the cost of reaching dispersed residents, the reverse paradigm.
Key Examples of Rural Ride-sharing & E-Mobility Initiatives
- Lime and Lyft in Rural Regions: While companies like Lime and Lyft are typically focused on urban settings, their models have been extended into suburban or rural areas with fewer cars per capita. Rural adoption is slower, but it’s a growing trend where public-private partnerships provide the necessary subsidies for e-mobility devices.
- Rural E-bike Rentals: Companies offering bike-sharing programs, like Lime and Spin, have tested e-bikes in rural settings, especially in places with high tourist traffic, where these vehicles are used for last-mile connectivity between transport hubs (like train stations) and destinations like national parks.
- Electric Ride-sharing and EV Programs: The electric vehicle market is seeing new ride-sharing platforms targeting rural areas. For example, programs such as “GoGreen” in various European countries provide rural EV ride-sharing solutions. These programs aim to make electric vehicles more accessible and attractive to rural residents by providing them with affordable, shared access to eco-friendly vehicles.
A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows that rural regions are increasingly adopting battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with countries like Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands leading the charge. These regions often see *BEV registration shares above the European average, demonstrating how rural areas are benefiting from clean mobility solutions.
ICCT
European Alternative Fuels Observatory.
*BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle, a type of electric vehicle (EV) that is fully electric and does not use any form of internal combustion engine.
Challenges: Charging and Fleet Standardization
One of the most pressing issues for e-bike fleets is charging infrastructure. Unlike cars, where Tesla’s Supercharger network sets a standard, e-bike manufacturers have not yet aligned on a universal charging model.
- Fragmented Charging Ecosystems: A delivery fleet might mix models from different brands like Rad Power Bikes, VanMoof, or Urban Arrow. Each of these could use unique batteries and chargers, making fleet-wide charging setups costly and complex.
- Rural Impact: For rural deliveries, where charging points are scarce, this fragmentation becomes a logistical nightmare. Delivery firms in rural regions must rely on swappable battery systems or carry multiple chargers—a costly and inefficient workaround.
The bottom line
By leveraging technology and adapting to local needs, ride-sharing and e-mobility can create sustainable, cost-effective transportation solutions that bridge the gap between rural areas and more urbanized regions. As the industry matures, innovation in these fields can help shape the next generation of rural mobility solutions, offering economic, environmental, and social benefits.
