WE2: She Moves on Electric Two-Wheels
Published: December 2024
Main topic: Climate change, Mitigation
Study countrie(s): India, South Asia
Written by: Sonal Shah, Sutanu Pati, Manisha Sharma, Adithya D, Lakshmi R, Namrata Daniel, Priyadarshi Singh
Published by: The Urban Catalysts
Study type: Project report
The transition to electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) is a critical step toward achieving low-carbon transport in India. The road transport sector contributes 12% of the country’s energy-related emissions (280 million tonnes), with two- and three-wheelers accounting for 20% of these emissions. As of September 2024, two-wheelers make up 73% of the registered vehicle fleet and represent 62% of electric vehicle (EV) sales between September 2023 and 2024. Despite this growth, E2W penetration remains below 6%.
Women are underrepresented as drivers, and delivery workers in India. The gig economy, particularly in last-mile delivery, is projected to grow by $165.6 billion between 2022 and 2027 (which could be driven by Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) or electric two-wheelers). However, women hold only 6.3% of the total driving licenses issued as of March 2020. The number of licenses issued to women has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%, with women receiving 12% of all licenses in 2019–20. This growth signals a rising demand for personal mobility among women. Despite this, there is limited research on the gendered use and ownership of E2Ws.
This study aims to understand the gendered differences in the adoption and use of E2Ws in India, using Chennai and Delhi as case studies.
