BEYOND GREEN: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ELECTRIC URBAN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

This article examines the broader economic implications of electric urban transport infrastructure, moving
beyond the traditional environmental perspective. While electrification of city transport is often associated with lower
greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, its long-term economic value is equally significant. The study
analyzes how investments in charging systems, electric buses, trams, and electrified urban fleets contribute to employment
generation, reduction of public health expenditures, enhancement of energy security, and improvement of local economic
attractiveness. A qualitative-analytical approach is used, drawing on employment multiplier logic, public health cost
frameworks, energy market risk analysis, and total cost of ownership comparisons between conventional and electric
transport systems. The findings indicate that electric transport infrastructure should be regarded not as a short-term
environmental cost, but as a strategic economic asset capable of strengthening urban resilience, stimulating innovation,
and supporting sustainable economic growth. The article concludes that delaying the transition to electric transport may
impose greater long-term economic costs than the initial investments required for electrification