This report presents an effort to understand the characteristics, uptake and overall market of electric two- and three- wheelers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The study includes the collection of data on electric two- and three-wheeler models in the three regions, a review of the status of the market, projections for region-wide growth until 2040, and recommendations to accelerate the transition towards electric two- and three-wheeler in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The process for developing this report began with the compilation of existing electric two- and three-wheeler models and their charging technology in each of the target regions through interviews with distributors, visits in the field, and internet searches. Details were collected on more than forty data points (listed in the appendix), including but not limited to motor power, battery capacity, battery chemistry, certified range, top speed, charger capacity, and physical size. Companies’ willingness to share specific data varied widely, posing a challenge and requiring the team to critically assess the data provided. The collected vehicle model and charging technology data was compiled in a database and an online dashboard.
Climate resilience is becoming a baseline condition for sustainable construction, not a premium specification. Satellite analysis showing almost 300,000 people living in flood-prone areas of the Nepalese Himalayas exposes the risk of roads, settlements and infrastructure expanding into valleys vulnerable to floods and landslides. Sustainable building design, green infrastructure, drainage, slope stability, siting and long-term maintenance must now be assessed alongside whole life carbon, embodied carbon and life cycle cost.
The road to COP31 is likely to intensify scrutiny of net zero carbon buildings, adaptation funding and climate-resilient investment. Pacific island states are pressing for stronger action on 1.5C, cleaner power and adaptation finance, reinforcing the need for low carbon design that remains insurable, habitable and financeable in a hotter, wetter world. A credible whole life carbon assessment should account for operational emissions, embodied carbon in materials, lifecycle assessment, building lifecycle performance and the carbon footprint of construction.
Procurement is becoming central to environmental sustainability in construction. Better supplier data, environmental product declarations (EPDs), sustainable material specification and low embodied carbon materials will be critical to verifying claims around green construction, eco-friendly construction and carbon footprint reduction. Confidence in ESG data quality is weakening, making measurable performance more important than marketing language around renewable building materials, green building materials or green building products.
The sector’s next step is evidence-led sustainable design. BREEAM, BREEAM v7, circular economy principles and circular economy in construction can support resource efficiency in construction, end-of-life reuse in construction and circular construction strategies. Green concrete and other low carbon construction materials have a role, but decarbonising the built environment will depend as much on life cycle thinking in construction, eco-design for buildings and robust risk discipline as on new products. Net zero whole life carbon, carbon neutral construction and genuinely energy-efficient buildings will define the next phase of sustainable urban development.
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