Tag Archive: E-Cargo Bikes

  1. EIT study: Logisticians can save massively with mixed fleets of e-cargo bikes and e-vans

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    A recent study conducted by EIT InnoEnergy, an organization dedicated to sustainable energy innovation supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), sheds light on the comparative advantages of utilizing e-vans and e-cargo bikes in terms of both costs and environmental impact.

    Source: Logistra

    The study emphasizes that employing a mixed fleet comprising both e-cargo bikes and e-vans proves to be more economically viable for logistics companies when compared to solely relying on e-van fleets. This shift towards mixed fleets is largely influenced by regulatory measures.

    Key Findings:

    1. Cost and CO2 Savings: The study reveals that deploying a mixed fleet consisting of 80% e-cargo bikes and 20% e-vans can lead to substantial annual cost savings, projected to reach 554 million euros by 2030, while concurrently reducing CO2 emissions in last-mile logistics by up to 80%. With the e-commerce sector witnessing annual volume increases of 8-14%, logistics companies are motivated to enhance profitability while mitigating environmental impact.
    2. Regulatory Influence: Regulatory initiatives, such as Stockholm’s impending ban on internal combustion engine vehicles within city centers, are compelling companies to transition towards decarbonizing their last-mile delivery services. In response to these regulatory pressures, the study provides insights into the feasibility and benefits of integrating e-cargo bikes into logistics operations.
    3. Cost Efficiency: Regardless of fleet composition and urban infrastructure, the study demonstrates that the use of e-cargo bikes reduces the overall cost per package compared to relying solely on e-vans. By 2030, the cost savings per package could increase significantly, offering substantial financial advantages to logistics companies.
    4. Benefits for Cities: Beyond monetary savings, the adoption of mixed fleets offers environmental benefits for cities, including a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and the elimination of a significant number of delivery vehicles. Mixed fleets also alleviate pressure on local power grids and contribute to energy savings equivalent to the annual consumption of hundreds of households per city.

    Looking Ahead

    The study underscores the potential for collaboration between cities and logistics providers to maximize the benefits of mixed fleets. Public-private partnerships offer opportunities to optimize infrastructure planning, thereby realizing the advantages in terms of sustainability, land utilization, and cost efficiency. Ultimately, the study aims to provide decision-makers in Europe with valuable insights to manage escalating parcel volumes, uphold cost efficiency, and foster flexibility and sustainability in last-mile delivery operations.

  2. E-cargo bikes available to borrow for transporting bulky waste in Amsterdam

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    Source: Fietsberaad.nl

    Since October, Amsterdam has been offering its residents electric cargo bikes to deposit their rubbish.

    The bikes are a solution for the 75% of Amsterdam’s citizens who don’t own a car, they can be borrowed for taking old items and rubbish to be recycled at four recycling centers around the city.

    The e-cargo bikes can only be borrowed to transport bulky or garden waste up to 300 kg for a maximum of three hours a day. They are free to use and are insured against all risks. Those wanting to use a cargo bike for this purpose will have to book it in advance online to get instructions from an employee at the recycling point.

    The four recycling centers currently receive around 1-4 requests to borrow a cargo bike per week, with the most popular one situated on Henk Sneevlietweg.

  3. Ireland announces increase in Cargo Bike support under Bike to Work scheme

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    Source: Gov.ie

    Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has welcomed the decision to include a new higher limit for Cargo Bikes in the revised Bike to Work Scheme announced this month as part of the Finance Bill.

    The updated scheme sees a subsidy increase to €3,000 for Cargo Bikes – in recognition of their higher initial cost. Previously the available limit was linked to that available for bicycles (€1,250) and electric-assist bicycles (€1,500). Therefore, support for Cargo Bike purchases has now been doubled.

    Minister Ryan shared, “This increase will help make cargo bikes more affordable for those choosing to purchase a new bike under the bike-to-work scheme. Cargo bikes have become more popular in recent years with many people using them to bring their kids to school, for shopping and for work purposes as delivery vehicles. The cost factor, however, is an impediment to many people who may want to buy one. We hope that by increasing the limits for cargo bikes, more people will be able to choose them as a more sustainable way to get around.

    “We also need to see our courier and delivery companies moving at a faster pace from vans and trucks to cargo bikes and we are looking at ways of supporting this transformation, specifically for the last mile element of their deliveries.

    “The coming years will see a re-allocation of road space away from private vehicles towards public transport and space for people walking and cycling and cargo bikes will play a large part in how we use our roads. I look forward to seeing many more cargo bikes on our roads over the coming years, helped by this decision today to make them more affordable.”

    The Bike to Work Scheme aims to encourage the public to cycle to and from work. The initiative allows employees to give part of their salary for a bicycle and/or safety equipment, which should be used primarily for travelling to and from work. The purchase is not taxable benefit-in-kind and can be made in any shop.

  4. Trade-exclusive e-cargo bike trial underway across south-west Germany

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    Source: SAZ Bike, M. Huber

    Starting June 27, six cities across south-western Germany are set to host commercial e-cargo bike testing opportunities, promoting uptake among local businesses.

    Berlin transport change agency Cargobike.jetzt is behind the operation, offering a variety of LEVs for testing. These include various e-cargo bikes and trailers, supporting up to 200kg of cargo. The scheduled dates and locations are:

    • Monday, June 27: Ludwigsburg | Rathaushof | 1pm-6pm
    • Tuesday, June 28: Stuttgart | Karlsplatz | 11am-4pm
    • Wednesday, June 29: Karlsruhe | Old Slaughterhouse 35 | 12pm-7pm
    • Thursday, June 30: Darmstadt | HWK Frankfurt-Rhine-Main | 11am-4pm
    • Friday, July 1st: Mainz | Mewa Arena | 11am-4pm
    • Saturday, July 2: Wiesbaden | Palace Square | 9am-7pm
    (Source: Cargobike.jetzt / “Flottes Gewerbe”)

  5. Subsidies for Italian businesses purchasing cargo bikes

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    Source:  Carla Giaume, Eltis

    Any Italian company or business activity that invested in the purchase of a cargo bike for its daily activities in 2021 will now be able to receive up to 30% of the total expense. According to a decree published in the Italian Official Gazette, the incentive will be “in the form of a tax credit” and is up to a maximum of €2,000.

    The Italian government has allocated €2million to the scheme, which applies to the purchase of cargo bikes and power-assisted bikes. An online registration is soon to be created with a deadline for submissions to obtain the credit set at 20th June 2022. 

    Cargo bikes are being championed by manufacturers around Europe and their numbers are set to expand. Companies are using cargo bikes for first- and last-kilometres deliveries, while families are encouraged to replace their second cars with cargo bikes and similar modes of transport. The subsidies do only apply to businesses and not personal use, however. 

    Elisa Gallo, the president of the FIAB Torino Bike Pride – the Italian Association of Cycling Friends (which recently organised a cargo bike day), and newly elected national councillor of the Italian Environment and Bicycle Federation, commented on the news to RivistaBC: “It is certainly useful to invest in cargo bikes. Italians are beginning to be interested in cargo bikes, however, much more needs to be done. Delivery companies are also more sensitive to their environmental impact. It is certainly desirable for the incentive to be renewed also for 2022.”

    The National Association for Cycle and Motorcycle Accessories (ANCMA) remarked that the incentive is still far away from contributing to reach the environmental objectives or the ecological transition and that more are needed to encourage cycling. However, considering the current energy crisis, this could potentially favour a radical change in the way people and goods move, particularly in urban areas.

    For more information check the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition (MiTE) Gazzetta Ufficiale

  6. German cargo-bike market continues to bulk-up with 100,000 sales in 2020

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    Source: Forbes

    A ‘pandemic bike boom’ has catapulted the German and wider European cargo-bike market towards an estimated growth of 40-50% in 2021

    As European cities continue to grow in size and density, road space has become increasingly scarce. In tandem, online shopping has become the new norm, so it is unsurprising that in locations such as the UK, van traffic has seen a 71% increase over the last 20 years; for comparison, car traffic saw a 13% growth in the same period. More vans equate to more congestion, more pollution, and slower delivery times. In Germany, the cargo-bike is powering onto the scene with such ferocity that leading magazine Bike Europe stated that the bikes have quickly “[changed] the look of streets” in many cities.

    Six years ago, in 2016, annual German cargo-bike sales stood at 15,000, in 2020 sales reached 100,000; today, the pandemic induced ‘bike boom’ has led to manufacturers estimating they experienced growth of 40-50% in 2021. When discussing modern city planning Walther Ploos van Amstel, a professor of city logistics at Amsterdam University, argues that “trucks… need to become smarter, cleaner, quieter, smaller and safer.” to remain viable – electric cargo-bikes already fulfill all of these criteria.

    This spike in interest correlates to businesses begining to identify the range of benefits that electric cargo-bikes may bring to their operations in urban areas. In many cities, trips made by cargo-bikes are often more efficient during both travel and delivery procedure (parking, unloading, etc.). Consequently, policymakers are further accelerating the electric cargo-bike trend on a local and national scale, offering subsidies, trial schemes, and rebates. Cargo-bikes make up a crucial step in the marathon that is transforming European cities into climate-neutral locations.

    Electric-cargo-bike

  7. Who has Transport Solution for Cargo Bikes?

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    One of the LEVA-EU members is looking for a solution to transport assembled cargobikes and cargotrailers.

    Do you have information about a reliable and safe transportsolution/box for assembled e-cargo bikes/trailers on the road or by train?

    If you have more information, please contact Daan van Dieren:  daan@leva-eu.com, tel. +32 485 29 87 91

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