Integrating electric mobility into SUMPs – a USER-CHI webinar
On May 23, 2024, the USER-CHI project hosted an insightful webinar titled “Integrating Electric Mobility into Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.” The event brought together representatives from Turku, Rome, Gdansk, and Madrid, to discuss their strategies and experiences in incorporating electric mobility into their broader sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs). The webinar showcased the diverse approaches cities are taking to integrate electric mobility into their SUMPs.
Turku’s Electric Mobility Master Plan
Saari Jussi from Turku presented the city’s comprehensive approach to electric mobility. Turku’s plan, developed under the USER-CHI project, began with extensive surveys and baseline studies from 2020 to 2021. The city identified key stakeholder groups, assessed city-owned properties for potential electrification, and conducted market dialogues with major charge point operators (CPOs) and electric mobility service providers (EMSPs).
Turku used a planning tool CLICK developed within USER-CHI in combination with their own data to determine the optimal locations for charging stations. Their aim was to develop a charging master plan with specific targets based on the number of electric vehicles (EVs) projected for 2030. At the same time, the plan had to remain flexible enough to be able to adapt to market changes.
Turku aims to have 2000 chargers by 2030, significantly up from the current 350, to support an estimated 20,000 rechargeable vehicles.
Rome’s Electric Mobility Strategy
Andrea Pasotto from Rome outlined the city’s electric mobility plan, which is an integral part of its SUMP. Rome’s strategy focuses on adapting the development of public charging infrastructure to the energy distribution network, promoting the use of zero-emission vehicles for urban freight distribution and simplifying the process for installing new charging points, reducing the time from proposal to activation from 11 months to 90 days.
Rome has also identified specific charging corridors and islands to facilitate rapid charging, ensuring the infrastructure meets the needs of both residents and logistic operators.
Gdansk’s Sustainable Approach
Magdalena Szymańska and Dorota Gajda-Kutowińska from Gdansk emphasized the city’s holistic approach to electromobility. Rather than focusing solely on the number of charging stations, Gdansk aims at reducing overall car traffic in the city centre. They do so by promoting active mobility modes like cycling, walking and public transport. Their approach to electromobility is characterised by understanding it as an integral part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainable transport modes.
Gdansk’s plan includes a mix of public consultations, legislative compliance, and innovative solutions like free parking for electric vehicles to encourage the transition.
Madrid’s Comprehensive Strategy
Sergio Fernández Balaguer from EMT Madrid presented the city’s ambitious Madrid 360 environmental sustainability strategy, which aims for significant reductions in traffic and emissions. Madrid is aiming on achieving a 100% electric bus fleet by 2033, for which they also need a corresponding charging infrastructure. Madrid is offering subsidies for fleet renewal and charging infrastructure development and counts on speeding up the deployment of fast charging infrastructure through public-private partnerships
Madrid’s strategy highlights the importance of integrating electrification into the broader urban mobility framework, ensuring infrastructure development keeps pace with the growing demand for electric vehicles. Madrid’s strategy doesn’t depend on the electrification of personal vehicles but rather focuses on clean public transport in combination with active modes, supported by measures such as the electric bike-sharing scheme.
The cities of Turku, Rome, Gdansk, and Madrid provided valuable insights and best practices on the webinar, to inspire other cities, aiming to enhance their sustainable mobility initiatives.
