A recent study has found that eHUBS could reshape urban transportation by cutting down reliance on fossil-fuel-based travel and slashing carbon emissions.
Study: Quantifying carbon reductions from mode substitution through shared electric mobility hubs in Greater Manchester. Image Credit: VPales/Shutterstock.com
Greater Manchester: A Case Study
With the urgency to curb climate change growing, the study examined scalable electric mobility solutions. Specifically, the authors looked at how integrating e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, e-scooters, and electric cars into shared infrastructure might encourage people to shift away from high-emission travel. The big-picture goal? To understand how eHUBS can help cities reduce carbon footprints, streamline urban travel, and meet environmental targets.
Unlike many previous studies that focus on a single type of electric vehicle or a specific city, this research adopts a broader approach. It looks at eHUBS as a full-system solution for clean urban mobility.
The case in point is Greater Manchester, a UK city actively planning to roll out such systems. The study quantified the carbon savings these hubs could achieve, examined the factors that drive people to use them, and assessed the policy implications that arise.
The researchers employ a mixed-methods approach, combining real-world data collection, modeling, and scenario testing.
Between 2021 and 2023, they surveyed over a thousand people in Greater Manchester about their travel habits, vehicle ownership, and their openness to using shared electric transport.
The survey dug into everything from demographics and trip distances to opinions on swapping out traditional transport for electric alternatives. It also tested scenarios where people either fully replaced their usual transport with eHUBS or mixed them with public transit across different trip lengths.
The study goes further by mapping the city’s transportation network using GIS data to pinpoint where eHUBS could be most effective. It simulates access points based on trip length, population density, urban layout, and even weather patterns - all factors that influence whether people would actually use these options.
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To estimate environmental impact, the researchers developed a lifecycle assessment model. This accounts for everything from emissions during manufacturing to day-to-day energy use and even the carbon cost of relocating vehicles. The goal is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the actual carbon savings.
Behavior also plays a significant role here. The models incorporate demographic influences, trip purposes, and mode preferences. Scenario analyses explore different versions of eHUB rollouts - varying the density and inclusion of transport modes - to assess how these changes impact the frequency of people opting for private cars, using public transport, and reducing emissions.
The study also relies on real-world operational data from existing pilot programs and highlights uncertainties surrounding user behavior and full lifecycle emissions. The idea is to provide a data-driven, realistic view of how eHUBS could work in practice.
The Results Look Promising
The study finds that rolling out eHUBS across Greater Manchester could lead to significant cuts in carbon emissions from transportation.
In the most optimistic scenarios, with well-placed hubs and strong user engagement, eHUBS could reduce reliance on fossil-fueled vehicles by 30–35 % for trips within the 5–20 km range.
Short trips under 5 km - usually covered by walking or traditional cycling - could see a bit of e-mobility “creep,” but thanks to electrification, the net carbon impact still looks positive.
For longer trips over 20 km, electric cars available at eHUBS could offer a major emissions advantage over gas-powered vehicles.
Behavioral factors make a big difference. Survey results show that age, income, and environmental awareness all affect willingness to use shared electric modes. People with higher incomes and those more environmentally conscious are more likely to opt in, suggesting that targeted outreach and infrastructure could broaden appeal.
Accessibility also matters: when eHUBS are located near residential areas and transit lines, people are much more likely to leave the car at home.
Electric Mobility Hubs Could Play Significant Role in Urban Carbon Reduction
The takeaway? Shared electric mobility hubs, if deployed strategically, could play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of urban transport systems, such as Greater Manchester’s.
By combining various electric transport options and making them easily accessible, eHUBS supports meaningful shifts away from carbon-intensive travel.
This study positions shared electric infrastructure as a crucial piece in the larger shift toward more sustainable urban mobility. It shows a clear path to reducing fossil fuel use, cutting emissions, and building more resilient cities.
The authors call for continued data gathering, innovation, and policy testing to optimize the performance of these systems - emphasizing that the best results are achieved when technology, behavior, and infrastructure are aligned.
Journal Reference
Wang H., Bell M.C., et al. (2025). Quantifying carbon reductions from mode substitution through shared electric mobility hubs in Greater Manchester. Scientific Reports 15, 38815 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22719-3, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-22719-3