The Quiet Revolution: How Cities Are Welcoming Single-Occupant Electric Vehicles
For years, urban mobility debates centered on subways, buses, and carpooling. Yet the daily reality for millions is solo travel—whether heading to work, a cafĂ©, or a quick appointment. Single-occupant electric vehicles (SOEVs) are stepping into this overlooked gap. They’re compact, energy-efficient, and tailored for exactly how people actually move through cities. What once seemed to be a niche is fast becoming a serious player in modern urban planning. More Movement, Less Gridlock Every driver knows the frustration of stop-and-go traffic. What’s striking is how many vehicles in those jams carry just one person. Full-sized cars are oversized for the job, consuming space they don’t need. SOEVs change that equation. Their smaller design allows more vehicles to flow through the same corridor. In some pilot projects, cities have seen smoother traffic with dedicated lanes for micro-EVs and scooters—proof that the solution isn’t always more roads, but smarter use of what exists. Parking Fre...