On the other hand, three-wheelers will continue to gain people’s favor, given that they are an important means of transporting goods and passengers, especially in densely populated countries.
“[They] they are ‘low-hanging fruit’ as they are used by the masses in India, China and Southeast Asia for last-mile connectivity due to their low cost of operations,” the dossier noted. “Urban development in those countries has been and is growing at a rapid pace, linked to increased demand for personal mobility and the emergence of local e-commerce businesses. This leads to the sale of electric two-wheelers for the individual and the use of three-wheelers as a means of transportation or delivery of goods.”
The electric microcar market is also expected to grow as compact cars gain popularity due to their low cost, but will remain small in volume compared to two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
“Offering more space, power and protection than two-wheelers and three-wheelers, these small vehicles are affordable and designed for urban environments,” the report states. “Most car trips are short trips with only one person. Most of the energy is wasted in carrying the car’s own weight. Oversized vehicles are a major cause of urban congestion, pollution and waste of energy, material and public space. As cities everywhere move toward a high-density, low-speed, low-impact model, it calls for a new kind of personal transportation to get people around comfortably.”
When it comes to the type of battery used in these vehicles, IDTechEx predicts a gradual uptake of lithium-ion devices, given that policies in major markets such as India and China now encourage the use of the currently dominant lead-acid battery.
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