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While the world's attention is fixated on high-end electric vehicles, a quiet grassroots revolution is transforming the way billions of people travel. 

Recently, Professor Jian Linni from the Energy and Power Engineering Programme at CityUHK (Dongguan), Director of the Development & Strategic Planning Office, published a commentary as first and corresponding author in the internationally renowned journal Nature, titled Affordable mobility for all: why we need smaller, cheaper electric vehicles. The article calls attention to low-speed small electric vehicles—a mode of transport situated between e-bikes and automobiles—which are offering a truly inclusive, affordable and green path to decarbonisation for low-income and marginalised groups excluded from the mainstream EV revolution.

A "Grassroots Solution" Obscured by Technological Spectacle

In global discussions on transport decarbonisation, the spotlight shines almost exclusively on futuristic high-end electric vehicles. Every technological breakthrough in this sector is hailed as a milestone in humanity's march toward a green future. However, Professor Jian raises a question worth pondering in his article: When an electric vehicle typically costs tens of thousands of dollars, can the majority of people on Earth truly participate in this green transportation revolution?

What Are Low-Speed Small Electric Vehicles?

Low-speed small electric vehicles are "hybrids" between e-bikes and conventional automobiles, primarily including electric tricycles and four-wheeled micro-cars. They typically operate at speeds below 40 km/h with a range under 60 km, falling well short of national standards for pure electric passenger vehicles (the "Double Eighty Standard": maximum speed 80 km/h, range 80 km). Yet it is precisely these vehicles—deemed "not fast enough, not far enough"—that are quietly changing the world.

Three Advantages: Why Low-Speed Small Electric Vehicles Deserve Attention

The article systematically elaborates three core advantages of low-speed small electric vehicles, each addressing blind spots in the dominant electric vehicle narrative.

Affordability

"Affordability is a crucial prerequisite for achieving sustainable development," the article emphasises. In China, many manufacturers leverage local supply chain advantages to produce low-speed small electric vehicles priced as low as 8,000 RMB by recombining existing components. This price is a fraction of an ordinary electric vehicle. More importantly, this affordability is achieved with little to no government subsidy. These vehicles rely entirely on market forces to survive, meeting genuine social needs.

Who is buying these vehicles? Primarily older adults, low-income groups and rural residents. They need a more stable and safer travel option than two-wheeled e-bikes for grocery shopping, school pickups, and short commutes. For many, these vehicles have become indispensable companions in daily life, offering protection from the elements for routine travel.

Energy Compatibility

If affordability solves the "can afford to buy" problem, energy compatibility addresses the "can afford to use" and "can access" issues. Unlike electric vehicles requiring dedicated charging stations, the vast majority of low-speed small electric vehicles can be plugged directly into standard household outlets. This seemingly simple feature has revolutionary significance in rural areas, peri-urban zones, and developing countries where charging infrastructure is scarce.

The article paints an inspiring picture: In remote areas, low-speed small electric vehicles can connect to local microgrids, charging via rooftop solar panels or small wind turbines. They are not merely modes of transport but can become mobile energy storage units—storing electricity during peak renewable generation periods and feeding it back when needed. "By providing both electric mobility and access to clean energy, these compact vehicles can empower populations who might otherwise be excluded from the mainstream EV revolution to adopt zero-emission transportation", the article states. This "energy-transport" integration perspective opens new imaginative possibilities for distributed energy systems and rural electrification.

Climate Benefits

Though small in size, the emission reduction potential of low-speed small electric vehicles should not be underestimated. The article provides estimated data: A low-speed small electric vehicle traveling an average of 500 km per month can save nearly one ton of carbon dioxide emissions annually. In regions with a high proportion of clean energy in the power supply, this emission reduction benefit can increase by approximately 16%.

"On a global scale, widespread adoption of millions of low-speed EVs could meaningfully reduce global transport emissions", the article notes. This represents a "small contributions add up" philosophy of emission reduction, complementing the mainstream narrative focused on pursuing purely technological breakthroughs.

Confronting Challenges: Transforming Controversy into Impetus for Progress

The article does not shy away from controversy. It confronts disputes head-on and offers positive responses. Citing the U.S. Department of Commerce's imposition of high tariffs on Chinese low-speed personal transportation vehicles in August 2025 as an example, the article points out that this dispute "is symbolic of a wider problem: sustainability is too often constrained by nationalist agendas, trade competition and special interests, rather than being elevated as a collective imperative that transcends borders and serves humanity".

The article calls for the world to recognise that sustainable development requires inclusivity and must transcend narrow national interests. To this end, the article proposes four directions for future efforts:

Build Data Foundation

Without reliable data, effective policy cannot be formulated. The article calls for cooperation among governments, international organisations, and research institutions to systematically track the production, sales and usage of low-speed small electric vehicles. Institutions like the International Energy Agency and the United Nations can advance this process through global indicators and annual reports.

Finalize Standards and Regulations

"Uncertainty around technical specifications has hindered long-term planning", the article notes. Resolving issues related to speed limits, battery requirements, driver licensing and road restrictions depends on improving standards at national and even international levels. The article proposes a pragmatic path: start with "minimum viable requirements"—such as certified charging safety, basic roadworthiness, and enforceable battery take-back with accredited recycling—and then ratchet standards upward as data accumulate. The International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission can provide technical guidance, while UN road safety bodies can champion harmonised adoption across borders.

Link With Distributed Energy

Integrating low-speed small electric vehicles with rooftop solar, small wind power and vehicle-to-grid technologies is an "add-value" emphasised throughout the article. This synergy is particularly valuable in off-grid or weak-grid settings. The article calls for research and pilot programmes to explore the potential of these synergies and identify cost-effective paths for global scaling.

Manage End-of-Life

Battery recycling and vehicle retirement represent the "last kilometre" for the sustainable development of low-speed small electric vehicles. The article recommends implementing extended producer responsibility, requiring manufacturers and importers to finance and manage battery collection, transport, and certified recycling. Simultaneously, building local capacity for refurbishment and recycling can transform end-of-life management into a reliable circular supply chain.

Conclusion: Everyone Can Be Part of the Change

The article concludes with a warm and powerful statement: "Low-speed EVs are not merely an afterthought, but a marvellous opportunity for marginalised groups to make their unique contribution to our shared sustainable future." This sentence challenges the elitist narrative that "only high technology can save the planet" and reaffirms a simple truth: genuine sustainable development must be inclusive, affordable, and belong to everyone. In the face of climate change—a challenge confronting all humanity—every individual, regardless of wealth, location, or age, should have the right and opportunity to be part of the solution. Low-speed small electric vehicles are precisely a key to this "sustainability for all".

Source: Colleges and Academic Support Units

*The article images are generated by AI.