EHUB Arnhem-Nijmegen
We are seeing a steady increase in the rental of electric vehicles across the 13 Arnhem-Nijmegen eHUBS. The eHUBS provide bicycles, cars and electric cargo bikes. The recent coronavirus measures have affected use, as have seasonal factors. Promotional campaigns, a study with an instructional film and extra decoration on some eHUBS locations have been used and the effects of these interventions are being researched. We will endeavour to offer more types of electric vehicles and research their effects in the coming period.
Numbers
Ten eHUBS will be in use in Nijmegen from 15 June 2020, as well as three in Arnhem. The eHUBS in Nijmegen started with 60 Urbee electric bicycles, five Cargoroo shared electric bicycles and five locations had electric Amber share-cars. Three more locations were added after the summer with Amber share-cars and one location received a Tesla Model 3 from Goodmoovs. Cargo bikes have also recently been installed at 12 different locations, and cargo bikes have been added at five current eHUB locations. Cargaroos have been installed in six different neighbourhoods in Arnhem.
Use figures
The use of electric vehicles varies considerably. This is due to seasonal factors, the coronavirus measures and issues relating to theft of and vandalism to the electric bikes. In the beginning, there were also issues with charging the electric bikes, but this was solved after switching to the changing of empty batteries.
More robust bicycles from Deelfiets Nederland will replace the Urbee bicycles in autumn. These bicycles have to be put into docking stations, which prevents theft. As for the Cargaroos, we are seeing a steady increase in use, and the additional cargo bikes that have been installed are facilitating further growth. The first use figures clearly show this too. The use of shared electric cars is increasing significantly across the eHUBS. The last lockdown has clearly affected the number of kilometers driven, but the number of new users continues to rise.
Research
The factors that influence the use of the eHUBS were examined with the help of a behavioural research company. For this research, eHUBS in four locations were decorated, and an instructional film distributed was
distributed via social media near three other hubs. Although these interventions produced positive responses, it is still difficult to say whether they led to increased use. We are therefore continuing to research how interventions influence the use of eHUBS.
The research we have carried out so far provides a lot of information on the use of shared mobility via eHUBS. Most means of transport show steady growth, except for bicycles due to problems with theft and vandalism. In the coming period, we will focus on improving and widening the available range
of means of transport, further encouraging their use and investigating what makes them successful. It is expected that the further reduction of coronavirus measures and the provision of more vehicles will help.
