This is an argument for ebikes, though not the strongest one, I think. The carbon output per mile traveled on an ebike is actually a bit lower than a regular bike because the food you eat has a carbon output. Yes, this includes charging the ebike from a coal power plant.
It does output more CO2 during initial manufacturing, though. Never does quite catch up with a regular bike over their expected lifetime. Both are better than cars and it’s not even close.
Interesting, I never knew that was an argument for ebikes, but as you say, if they never break even it’s a moot point. Unless… Perhaps having the ebikes promoted more cycling over driving, then perhaps it changes it enough.
This is an argument for ebikes, though not the strongest one, I think. The carbon output per mile traveled on an ebike is actually a bit lower than a regular bike because the food you eat has a carbon output. Yes, this includes charging the ebike from a coal power plant.
It does output more CO2 during initial manufacturing, though. Never does quite catch up with a regular bike over their expected lifetime. Both are better than cars and it’s not even close.
Interesting, I never knew that was an argument for ebikes, but as you say, if they never break even it’s a moot point. Unless… Perhaps having the ebikes promoted more cycling over driving, then perhaps it changes it enough.