'Chinamaxxing': Asia’s megacities should follow China’s lead in electrifying urban transport
For the emerging megacities of Asia, the oil crisis that spread out from the Strait of Hormuz is like the acute phase of a chronic condition. The largest migration in human history is filling their streets and alleyways to bursting point.Urbanization and births will add a billion more people between now and 2050. Jakarta and Dhaka, with 42 million and 37 million people respectively, have overtaken Tokyo at 33 million as the world’s biggest metropolises.
Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, Kolkata, Seoul, Karachi, and Bangkok aren’t far behind.Keeping that many people on the move is a challenge at the best of times. When the price of road fuel doubles, it becomes a nightmare.The good news is that one country has been through this cycle already: China. It offers a guide for how to cut oil import bills and transport costs for citizens, reduce pollution from noise and exhaust smoke, and make urban life less unpleasant.
Asia’s megacities can follow the ‘Chinamaxxing’ trend that’s taken over social media lately.From the perspective of a rich country, it’s easy to think the electrification of transport is all about passenger cars. In emerging Asia, however, the real gains are to be made in scooters, motorbikes, trucks and buses.Two-wheelers are most ripe for EV disruption. Parts of Asia are already moving towards hard restrictions on petrol-run bikes and scooters.
Most Chinese cities have had such restrictions for a decade or more, making them motorbike-free zones. Nearly 60% of sales are already fully electric.Falling battery costs are now changing the game across the region. In India, a base model Ola S1 electric scooter costs about ₹90,000, compared to ₹78,000 for a petrol-powered Honda Activa.
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