How Segway is trying to reduce environmental impact
Comments Off on How Segway is trying to reduce environmental impactSource: Zag Daily
The LEVA-EU member’s sustainability credentials include increasingly using greener and recyclable materials in its production, and its shared e-scooters receiving Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Verification Statements from leading international testing certification organisation TÜV SÜD.
The LCA is an analysis that assesses a product’s impact on the environment, based on its raw material, manufacturing and distribution stages. Segway has long been committed to understanding and refining its products before these LCA assessments. But the LCA expands further on Segway’s environmental impact from raw material extraction, a stage which was believed to be the largest contributor to its Product Carbon Footprint.
Sharing e-scooter D110 receives LCA Verification Statement
It has been confirmed that the latest Segway model to receive an LCA accreditation is one of Segway’s newest shared e-scooter models, the D110, which has achieved the ISO 14040 and 14044 international standards for life cycle assessment.
Yao Yao, Strategic Product Manager of Segway-Ninebot’s Commercial Mobility Business Division said the following about this achievement:
“The Apex D110 shared e-scooter highlights our commitment to combining technological innovation with environmental consideration, providing solutions that address both operational needs and the Sustainable Development Goals,”
The D110’s success follows that of Segway’s Max Plus X and Max S90L models, which were the first shared e-scooters in the world to receive LCA Verification Statements in 2023.
The Global Warming impact category
The raw material, manufacturing and distribution stages for an LCA Verification Statement are measured by 18 focused impact categories, including Global Warming, Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, Mineral Resource Scarcity, and Human Carcinogenic Toxicity.
One of the most influential data points of the LCA is the Global Warming Impact category.
For this category the D110’s total carbon emissions was analysed to be 368 kg CO2-eq, with 97.72% being accounted for by the raw material stage, 1.42% for manufacturing, and 2.38% for distribution.
The Segway’s S90L e-scooter’s raw material stage accounted for 97.72% of its total carbon emissions. This testifies that Segway managed to reduce the contribution of this stage with its newest D110 model, which has fewer emissions from its raw materials. Segway has achieved this reduction through its in-house design by using increasing quantities of recycled metals and plastics, such as Polycarbonate & Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC-ABS) and Polypropylene.
Segway’s commitment to reducing its raw material emissions further
The manufacturer is now aiming to directly target the use of raw materials that bring significant carbon emissions from their extraction.
While it’s doing this, it will also focus on using more sustainable raw materials across its entire product range with the incorporation of more recycled metals and plastics. It is already making great strides on this, with one of its products having over half of its plastic weight being made from recycled plastics, and 41% of its total metal weight comprising of recycled metal.
Segway has stated that, by incorporating recycled materials into its shared e-scooter models, it has showcased its ability to maintain high-quality performance while aiming to achieve an environmentally-conscious lifecycle.
It is also prioritising greener energy usage in many parts of its raw material stage, for example, relying on electricity sourced from renewable resources.
Increasing sustainability further
Looking ahead, Segway is aiming to continue increasing its use of recycled materials in more electric scooter and bike models to decrease its reliance on virgin resources and reduce its environmental footprint. It will also examine how it can further reduce emissions over its supply chain to minimise environmental impact from its manufacturing and distribution stages, as well as actively encourage its suppliers to do the same.
As it reinforces its environmental management policies, Segway aims to lead by example by advancing its production methods and advocating for similar proactive climate action with its clientele and the whole industry.
