Light electric vehicles (LEVs) facilitate a significant reduction in global warming potential (GWP) and other environmental impacts related to specific transport performance due to their lightweight construction. Low-voltage systems in the drive engine, an open vehicle design and online vehicle data processing allow LEVs to be repaired by independent workshops, thus enabling long vehicle use as well as conversion or retrofitting for periods of use beyond 20 years. LEVs are not yet very common in everyday life in Western Europe. In order to support the acceptance of muscle power-supported LEVs in the EU L7e registration class by users, the vehicle design and construction specifically address requirements in the areas of last-mile parcel delivery and other transport services, including passenger transport. Life cycle assessment was used to investigate two construction methods for LEVs, mixed construction and fibre composite construction, in terms of the production, service life phase and end of life. A vehicle configuration was developed which, in addition to resource-saving production and long-life operation, enables easy access for users and maintenance of the LEV for various purposes. The resource efficiency of light electric vehicles was proven with regard to the ecological aspects. The vehicle design shown here shows high potential for LEVs in the circular economy.

Among the economic sectors, mobility is showing significant environmental impacts, especially in the use phase of vehicles. By substituting fossil-fuelled propelling systems, environmental impacts such as the Global Warming Potential (GWP) can be reduced. The use of properly designed light electric vehicles (LEVs) significantly reduces further environmental impacts, as well as maintenance costs, which are relevant for a circular economy. For example, the use of low-voltage (42 V) propelling systems enables the maintenance of LEVs in a broader range of existing bicycle workshops. Regarding the environmental impacts, the described LCA results indicate the advantage of LEVs compared with EVs and ICVs, e.g., vehicle weight is found to be a main factor related to environmental impact for each type of vehicle. This implies a reduced need for battery capacity and lower emissions of particulate matter from tire and break abrasion. This study aims to present the application potential of LEVs and the related reduction in environmental impacts. Anonymised inventory lists of municipal vehicle fleets are analysed for quantifying the substitution potential of LEVs in specific use cases. For this purpose, the use phase of vehicles is analysed with a focus on product design for repair and recycling and supplemented by the results of a comparative environmental impact assessment of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and LEVs. The comparison is made on the premise of similar application requirements. These specifications are the ability of each of the vehicles to transport a maximum of three persons (driver included) or one driver and 250 kg of cargo in 3 m³ over a daily distance of 100 km in urban areas. On this basis, the municipal environmental benefits derived from substituting small vehicles in the form of ICEVs and EVs with LEVs are assessed. The results show that in the field of municipal mobility, a relevant number of conventional small vehicles can be substituted with LEVs. The environmental impacts in categories of the highest robustness level, RL I, that is, Global Warming Potential, fine dust emissions, and Ozone Depletion Potential, can be reduced by LEVs by 50% compared with EVs and by over 50% compared with ICEVs. The strong influence of vehicle weight on the abrasive conditions of tires and brakes is considerable, as shown by reduced fine dust emissions.

Independent mobility is crucial for social participation and quality of life in later life, especially in rural areas where public transport is limited. Light electric vehicles (LEVs) may offer a promisingalternativefor everyday mobility; however, it remains unclear which features and contextual conditions are necessary for their usability and acceptance among older adults in their rural settings. As an initial exploratory step within the LeiFlex project, this mixed-methods design study aimed to assess feasibility and generate preliminary insights for further development. A user-centred study was conducted with 20 participants (≥ 60 years) in rural Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Participants completed supervised test drives with a commercially available LEV, followed by standardized usability and acceptance questionnaires (System Usability Scale, Technology Usage Inventory) and semi-structured focusgroup discussions. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis and complemented by descriptive quantitative results. Overall, attitudes towards LEVs were positive, although usability was rated as marginal (SUS _mean = 53.0). Key requirements included intuitive braking logic, clear visual and acoustic feedback in safety-critical situations, ergonomic adjustability, and perceived safety. Gender differences were observed. Women reported lower usability and were more sceptical, despite having a similar intention to use. The findings suggest that acceptance of LEVs among older adults is shaped not only by modifiable usability and design characteristics, but also the conditions in which these vehicles are used. These preliminary results highlight the need for flexible, modular, and age-appropriate LEV concepts and provide a basis for further investigation in larger and more comprehensive studies.

The regional recycling of plant waste from municipal green space maintenance, private households and private gardens is traditionally carried out in partially open composting plants. In addition to climate-relevant gases, dust, germs and odours are emitted. Compared to aerobic rotting the pyrolysis at higher temperatures and/or reforming offers industrial utilisation of plant based biowaste, with additional availability of energetic by-products. A high-quality plant charcoal derived from a pilot plant is used in a one-year field trial to establish a theoretical comparability with substrates from composting. The advantages and disadvantages of composting and high-quality pyrolysis is shown for comparison, to foster further investigation in advanced technologies for production of plant charcoal aiming the sequester of biogenic Carbondioxide.