CONCEPTUALIZATION OF URBAN ELECTRIC TRANSPORT IN THE URBAN MOBILITY SYSTEM: INCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIVE APPROACHES

Abstract

The study of the conceptual boundaries of the term "urban electric transport" gains particular relevance in the context of intensive electrification of the transport sector and diversification of electric mobility modes. The terminological ambiguity in scientific literature and regulatory documents has significant practical implications for transport policy formulation, statistical accounting, and the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). Therefore, the purpose of the article is to systematize and comparatively analyze inclusive and exclusive approaches to the conceptualization of urban electric transport, to identify the economic and governance implications of the approach selection, as well as to substantiate the criteria for selecting the appropriate approach depending on the research context or practical application. The analysis of scientific literature reveals the coexistence of two approaches: the inclusive approach, which combines all vehicles with electric traction into a single category, notably the E-Mobility Systems Architecture model, and the exclusive approach, which differentiates them according to technical, functional, and regulatory criteria, such as classification by right-of-way, power supply method, physical parameters of the vehicle, and regulatory status. Particular attention is paid to electric micromobility and electric buses as specific categories with their own characteristics of integration into the urban transport system. The comparative analysis demonstrates the complementarity of both approaches. The inclusive approach is appropriate for strategic planning and energy policy at the macro level, while the exclusive approach is suitable for operational planning, regulation, and infrastructure decisions at the micro and meso levels. A multilevel synthetic model for the conceptualization of urban electric transport is proposed, consisting of the core (tram, trolleybus, metro, urban rail), the extended core (electric buses, LRT, IMC trolleybuses), and the periphery (electric vehicles, e-micromobility). An original definition of urban electric transport is formulated, reflecting the contextual nature of the concept under study. This model allows for the flexible application of different approaches depending on analytical tasks. The choice of approach to the conceptualization of urban electric transport should be determined by the research context, level of analysis, practical objectives, as well as the implications for financing mechanisms and governance coordination.