The expansion of the worldwide GDP over the last several years has been largely attributed to the 11% global tourist industry. Due to Covid-19, the sector has been severely impacted, however, it has recently rebounded by 7% over the past year. Even while the business creates a lot of jobs and has a significant positive economic impact on local communities and social development, the environmental impact of increased transportation on global climate change and tourism destinations is extremely worrisome for long-term sustainability. A study reveals that the total CO2 emissions from all forms of transportation worldwide are about 22.2%. As a result, the importance of alternatives like electric cars is made clearer. Adopting electric modes of transportation can benefit the tourism sector in a variety of ways. Let’s talk about this more briefly.
The reality is that one of the most visited tourist places in the country is the Taj Mahal which restricts petrol and diesel automobiles near it displaying the seriousness of the government’s anti-pollution approach. The restriction is pertinent within a 500-meter distance from the spot. Despite these restrictions, the availability of Electric Vehicles cabs in the region has enabled a hassle-free travel experience for visitors. In addition, many topline hotels in the city of Agra provide tourists with access to e-bikes to get around. This is not only economical due to the avoidance of fossil fuels, but it also limits the problem of traffic congestion and pollution in alike tourist-centric cities. Electric vehicles can help travelers by enabling them to reach secret trails that are typically unavailable via normal transportation as well as vacation destinations. Additionally, smart EV charging infrastructure is expanding in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Goa, and others, making the use of electric vehicles more acceptable.
Various impacts of electric vehicles on the tourism industry are as follows:
Economic Impact:
At present, with fuel prices high in India, there is a notable impact on transportation costs that are necessary for tourism activities. Due to the rise in taxi fares and other transport modes, the large division of budget tourists would ignore unnecessary trips, decreasing visits to several tourist places and lowering overall footfalls and spending. Transformation to Electric vehicles can lower the costs of transportation, along with additional modes of electric mobility like e-carts and low-speed e-scooters, etc. It provides more options for commuting.
Environmental Impact:
EVs cause nil tailpipe emissions and help decrease air pollution when we use them in large numbers. They release less particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in the air than standard transport systems. Electric Vehicles also make less sound while operating than diesel and petrol vehicles, contributing to noise pollution deduction. An international survey shows that millennials and Gen Z travelers are more worried about the importance of selecting an eco-friendly travel option in their travels. Thus, adopting Electric Vehicles in the tourism sector will bring greater sustainability and also prove to be potentially profitable for the overall business.
Currently, the country is looking forward to establishing enough charging infrastructure in all public places, which enables EV users to cover long-distance travel and search EV charging facilities with ease. The Government has stated its sight of having Electric Vehicle Charging facilities every 25 km on highways and every 3 km inside the cities, while several firms and startups are building EV charging infrastructure as Electric Vehicle sales slope up. Accessibility of EV Charging space on highways and within tourist hubs will be key to realizing the goal of cleaner and more accessible mobility driving tourism in the future.
At eBikeGo Float, we aim to empower Hospitality businesses with a fleet of robust and durable, connected, high-quality 2-Wheeler Electric Vehicles in order to provide an additional business model to the business owners. Offering 2-Wheeler Electric Vehicles on the go will be a lucrative value-added service for all stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector who can facilitate the same to their
guests/customers and customers can find a one-stop solution at the venue itself while they are looking for sustainable and affordable options to commute around the city during their stay.
The effect of the EV revolution on the tourism and travel sector will be massive in the coming years. Increasing the range of Electric Vehicles, making it easier to charge during journeys, and providing readily reachable charging facilities in hotels, tourist hubs, and other hotspots will bring greater faith among travelers. For this, local governments need to work with businesses, communities, and EV ecosystem players in ensuring that infrastructure and Electric Vehicles on roads are steadily ramped up in the years to come.
About the Author
The author is the Founder & CEO of eBikeGo, a sustainable mobility company that aims to make world-class electric mobility solutions that transform how people move. Mobility must transform if people are to thrive; but the industry’s emphasis is on economy & efficiency, not excellence. eBikeGo is driven towards creating a suite of customer-centric electric mobility solutions, empowering people to seize the moment and the future.
