Tag Archive: LAST MILE DELIVERY

  1. London’s cargo bike use doubles over two years

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    Source: Zag Daily, BikeBiz, Parcel and Postal Technology International, Seattle Times

    Analysis of cycling data from Transport for London by the Clean Cities network has revealed that there was 104% increase in cargo bike use in London during the period from 2022-2024.

    Clean Cities has also recently reported that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central London, highlighting the urgent need for non-polluting solutions. They have called for the rollout of a zero-emission zone for urban freight in the future.

    Zak Bond, the Campaign Manager for Clean Cities, said, “Our analysis has shown that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of dirty air in central London. Shifting as many deliveries as possible to cargo bikes is essential. This increase in cargo bike use is a strong start, but local authorities must do more to support residents and businesses to use cargo bikes. That should include new grants which help those who need it most with the high upstart cost of a cargo bike.” He added, when speaking to Zag Daily: “London should learn from what works in other countries like the Netherlands. A zero-emission urban freight zone must be a true partnership between boroughs, industry and the Mayor.”

    Diving deeper into the data, it was found that the rate of cargo bike increase was slower in 2023-2024 than in 2022-2023, leading Clean Cities to urge the Mayor of London and London Boroughs to re-start the momentum with measures such as grants, to help make cargo bikes more affordable for small businesses and residents. 

    The analysis was released alongside the sixth edition of the Cargo Bike Cruise, claimed as the largest convoy of cargo bikes in the world, and organised by the Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA), Clean Cities and Team London Bridge.

    SUFA Co-chair Lee Pugh said, “It’s great to see progress being made in London and across the UK. The Sustainable Urban Freight Association will lead a delegation to the International Cargo Bike Festival in Utrecht next month, where we will highlight this fantastic increase in delivery miles and work together with our European partners to accelerate the transition to cargo bikes and cleaner, more ethical goods transport.”

    Jack Skillen, Director of Sustainability and Place at Team London Bridge, highlighted ways they are working to encourage wider use of cargo bikes. “The Cargo Bike Cruise shows how transformational the shift to cargo bikes can be for a business district like London Bridge, making deliveries less polluted, less noisy, and removing traffic and stress to create healthy streets. Our Cargo Bike Service Directory is helping businesses to take emissions out of their supply chains, with 100 services, from couriers to office supplies to waste, available locally on cargo bike. We encourage authorities to support this momentum, and operators and service providers to change their own logistics to cargo bikes where feasible. The Cruise is made up of inspiring businesses leading the way.”

    Internationally, cargo bikes are becoming more widely recognised for their logistics potential. In Seattle, the city’s Department of Transportation is considering new rules for the use of electric cargo bikes to address a range of issues: freeing up curb space, easing congestion and reducing emissions. A 2023 study which analysed Seattle-based cargo bike riders found that they were able to keep moving 40% of the time compared to 20% for delivery drivers, as there was less time spent looking for parking in congested areas. As a result, the average trip time per parcel by cargo bike was 2.2 minutes, compared to 6.2 minutes for a delivery van.

  2. Prague promotes sustainable urban delivery with Better Cities Fund launch

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    Source: EU Urban Mobility Observatory, EIT Urban Mobility

    A new initiative, the Better Cities Fund, has been introduced to Prague to help couriers transition to electric cargo bikes, in an effort to bring sustainable transport to last-mile delivery services in the Czech capital. The fund was launched by urban delivery company Wolt, with the support of EIT Urban Mobility, and partners Threshpoint Analytics and South Pole.

    The fund has seen success in other cities in Northern Europe, and in Prague €400,000 will be available to help couriers switch to one of two electric cargo bike options – a compact and versatile long-tail model, or a high-capacity four-wheel bike, both of which provide 100km+ of range and come with two swappable batteries, enhancing flexibility. The programme offers flexible leasing options with no down payment required, and comprehensive insurance and maintenance.

    Wolt recently organised a test drive in Prague to showcase the vehicles, allowing couriers and city officials, as well as members of the public, to experience the potential of the cargo bikes first-hand. Traian Urban, Director at EIT Urban Mobility Innovation Hub East, attended the event, and discussed the role of zero-emission transport in urban areas. “With increasing pressure on European cities to reduce transport-related emissions, expanding electric delivery fleets is a practical step toward improving air quality. By prioritising sustainable urban transport, Prague—and cities like it—can make tangible progress in reducing pollution and creating healthier environments for residents.”

    Jakub Moťovský, Head of Courier Strategy & Innovation, Region Central, at Wolt, also shared his thoughts on making last-mile logistics more sustainable. “Prague has the opportunity to enhance sustainable urban logistics, especially in last-mile delivery, by adopting greener solutions and advancing low-emission transportation. Better Cities Fund supports this transition by helping couriers overcome the high costs of electric transport and showcasing innovative approaches to reducing the city’s carbon footprint.”

    Find out more about the Better Cities Fund, and how to apply, here.

  3. Substantial emissions and cash savings to be gained from last-mile mixed electric fleets

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    A new study by EIT InnoEnergy reveals that, compared to e-vans alone, e-cargo bikes reduce the total cost per parcel regardless of the city layout and fleet mix.

    Source: Tech.eu

    A recent study conducted by EIT InnoEnergy, a body of the European Union, has revealed the potential benefits of employing mixed electric fleets comprising both e-cargo bikes and e-vans for urban logistics operations. The findings suggest that such a mixed fleet approach not only offers significant cost savings for logistics providers compared to relying solely on e-vans but also contributes to enhancing the overall quality of life in urban areas.

    The research, which examines the economic and environmental implications of utilizing mixed electric fleets, indicates that for a major logistics company handling 2 billion parcels annually, transitioning to a fleet consisting of 80 percent e-cargo bikes and 20 percent e-vans could result in substantial annual cost savings of approximately €554 million by the year 2030. Moreover, such a shift could lead to a reduction in last-mile logistics emissions by as much as 80 percent.

    Jennifer Dungs, the Global Head of Mobility at EIT InnoEnergy, underscored the growing pressures faced by logistics operators, including escalating parcel volumes, bans on combustion-engine vehicles in city centers, parking constraints, and the imperative to minimize costs in a highly competitive industry. Dungs emphasized, “This study demonstrates that e-cargo bikes are not only a sustainable solution to these challenges but also offer cost competitiveness and viability for major logistics players, both presently and in the foreseeable future.”

    The study’s findings highlight that e-cargo bikes present a cost-effective alternative to e-vans across various fleet compositions and urban layouts. In the baseline case examined, the total cost per parcel in 2023 using e-cargo bikes was found to be €0.05 lower compared to a fleet solely comprising e-vans. By 2030, this difference is projected to increase to €0.20 per parcel.

    In an optimized scenario, where an 80 percent e-cargo bike and 20 percent e-van fleet operates within a medium-sized city, the savings relative to a 100 percent e-van fleet are even more substantial. In 2023, this optimized approach translates to savings of €0.08 per parcel, totaling approximately €156 million annually for a large logistics provider. By 2030, the cost difference per parcel is anticipated to reach €0.28, resulting in total savings of approximately €554 million.

    Furthermore, the integration of e-cargo bikes into urban logistics systems could yield significant environmental benefits, including an up to 80 percent reduction in emissions from last-mile logistics across Europe’s 100 largest cities. Additionally, the adoption of e-cargo bikes could alleviate traffic congestion and competition for space by potentially replacing up to 120,000 vans.

  4. Fernhay eQuad: last-mile delivery efficiency

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    LEVA-EU member Fernhay developed the eQuad as a compact, agile and flexible solution for last-mile logistics.

    Efficiency in urban areas is, increasingly, an essential component of sustainable and comfortable city living. Populations are shifting towards urban centres, meaning that all the operations which keep the flow of goods and people moving need to be as streamlined as possible.

    The eQuad electric delivery vehicle is Fernhay’s green-tech solution for efficient inner-city logistics, specifically designed to be a crucial cog in the machinery of supply chain logistics. Last-mile deliveries, where goods are delivered from a transportation hub to end recipients, often face challenges such as congested traffic and delays, and are subject to environmental concerns. The eQuad provides solutions to these challenges:

    • Customisable solutions: tailored to customers’ requirements for specific logistical needs and varied urban features.
    • Compact and agile: A narrow design allows easy manoeuvring through busy urban streets.
    • Zero emissions: electrically powered, eQuad operates without tailpipe emissions, contributing towards cleaner urban air.

    Fernhay sees the eQuad as an essential part of an efficient city, representing a shift in thinking – from traditionally accepted, but inefficient, practices, to more sustainable and innovative solutions. As more businesses and city planners adopt tools such as the eQuad, the cumulative effect can lead to significantly more efficient, and less polluted, urban spaces.

  5. Global food miles generate almost 20% of all food-related CO2 emissions

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    Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment

    Food transport in global supply chains is vital to the industry’s success as demand for diverse products increases. New modelling estimates the carbon footprint of food miles to be close to a fifth of all related emissions.

    ‘Food miles’ are a measurement based on the distance a product travels from farm to fork, or production to consumption. Environmental impact is measured in tonne-kilometre (tkm). Currently, the assessment of food miles is limited, with only a select few food items having a fully quantified food-mile analysis. A new study from The University of the West of England provides a more comprehensive estimate of global food miles and their impact – inputting countries of origin, destination countries, transport distances and food commodity masses.

    In its write-up of the study, the European commission shared the following: “When the entire food supply chain was considered in this analysis the researchers found that global food miles equate to about 3.0 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) – higher than previously thought. This indicates that transport accounts for 19% of total food system emissions. The transport of fruit and vegetables contributes 36% of food miles emissions – around twice the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) released during their production. Food miles only contributed 18% of the total freight miles, but the researchers found that the emissions from these made up 27% of total freight emissions, mostly from international trade (18%).“

    “The researchers also estimated the global food-system emissions to be 15.8 GtCO2e, equating to 30% of the world’s GHG emissions. With global food expenditure around US$5 trillion (€4.85 trillion) in 2017 and the global population rising annually, it is useful to consider the impacts of food miles on climate change. The researchers say that this should be coupled with more locally produced food items and add that improved food security through better food-systems management also requires integration of environmental protection targets.”

    The reduction of emissions in last-mile deliveries and trips will aid in the de-carbonization of the food industry, with LEV vehicles such as electric cargo bikes offering a proven solution.

    For the full study, see: Li, M., Jia, N., Lenzen, M., Malik, A., Wei, L., Jin, Y. and Raubenheimer, D. (2022) Global food-miles account for nearly 20% of total food-systems emissions. Nature Food, 3(6): 445–453. [Online version].

  6. CAKE and Volta Trucks join forces to provide world’s first electric microhub for last-mile deliveries

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    LEVA-EU member CAKE and Volta Trucks have announced a joint initiative for providing global fashion giant the H&M Group with fully integrated, electric deliveries to its customers in Paris. Starting in February, the H&M Group will be able to deliver its orders all the way from the warehouses to the door of the customer, leveraging an unparalleled, efficient combination of electric trucks and electric two-wheelers. Tailored for future urban logistics, this solution aims to have a minimum impact on the city environment.

    “As a majority of today’s last-mile delivery chains will soon be banned in many of the world’s largest cities, H&M seeks to engage in future-proof solutions already now. This will enable for contributions of lower emissions and less congestion, while benefiting from far more efficient deliveries all the way to the end customer, paving the way for both healthier cities and business advantages,” says Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO, CAKE.

    Rolling hubs, and couriers on two wheels

    CAKE and Volta Trucks were both founded to tackle the modern challenges of transportation. Coming from two different vehicle platforms, yet sharing the same objectives, the integration of the two technologies offers immediate opportunities for e-commerce and the fast-growing delivery industry, now on its way to meeting game-changing laws and regulations globally.

    Volta Trucks, whose vehicles are electric trucks with industry-standard loading capacity, has developed a design that offers emission-free transportation and enhanced safety in urban environments. Allowed to pass through future city borders, the electric trucks make the perfect vessel for carrying full loads of parcels, and harbour in central locations while parcels are delivered last-mile by a set of CAKE bikes reaching the customers fast, without impacting the traffic, or struggling with parking.

    “We’ve designed the full-electric Volta Zero to be the cleanest, safest and most efficient urban delivery vehicle. Most of our customers are using trucks to deliver from out-of-town warehouses to inner-city stores. But as a forward-thinking brand, we’ve always sought innovative partners to deliver new and industry-redefining solutions. The partnership between Volta Trucks, CAKE and H&M Group will showcase how a combination of zero tailpipe emission transport solutions can bring benefits to brands, customers, and city centre environments.” says Essa Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks.

    “An important part of our approach is to work openly and closely with partners, including to reduce emissions throughout our value chain. Initiatives like those with Volta Trucks and Cake help us advance our sustainability goals faster than we could on our own and have a positive impact in leading the transformation to a better fashion future. This starts with improving sustainability performance in our own operations and demonstrating the resilience of a sustainable business direction”, Paul Ticehurst, H&M Group Logistics Transport Lead.

    Paris leads the way

    Paris is one of the first cities in the world to regulate city transportation in favour of congestion and the climate. The French capital is targeting a late 2023 introduction of legislation, effectively limiting the movement of cars in its city centre. CAKE electric mopeds and motorcycles will be exempt from the ban that is expected to remove approximately 100,000 cars from the streets each day. Additionally, two-wheelers using combustion engines will by September 1st be subject to parking fees, while electric alternatives continue to enjoy free parking on Paris streets.

  7. Amazon outlines plans to double European ‘micromobility hub’ presence by 2025

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    Source: Zag Daily, B. Hubbard

    Currently utilizing micromobility hubs in 20 cities across Europe including London, Munich and Paris, Amazon plans to significantly expand its offering, to the delight of the micromobility industry.

    The smaller, central delivery hubs represent a more sustainable last-mile delivery option, allowing packages to be transported via cargo-bike and on foot. In the city center, this allows many issues typical of last-mile logistics to be reduced or negated, including traffic, parking, and fuel costs.

    The hubs are one part of a wider €1 billion investment by Amazon to electrify and decarbonize its transport network across the European continent over the next five years.

    In relation to the story, Zag Daily discussed the investment with representatives from Zedify, Beryl, and EAV, all of which specialize in the micromobility or cargo-bike sector.

    Speaking about Amazon’s move, Rob King, Zedify’s CEO and Co-Founder, told Zag Daily: “Zedify have been utilising microhubs for cargo bike deliveries for many years and it’s hugely exciting to see some of the biggest names in logistics endorsing this model.”
    “Urban deliveries need to be done better and it is change at this scale that’s going to meet those multiple challenges head on – whether that’s efficiency on cost, cutting emissions or meeting consumer demands.”

    Beryl’s CEO Philip Ellis told Zag: “For last mile deliveries or short journeys, the bikes are by far the best and offer the most time efficient way to move large or heavy items, so hopefully Amazon’s expansion will raise their profile even further as a fundamental transport necessity.”

    The bikes are operated by a variety of partner businesses, not directly by Amazon. One approved bike supplier is EAV Solutions. “EAV is supporting the adoption of innovative new micromobility based logistics by enabling the change away from legacy operation practices with its ecosystem of urban specific transport solutions,” said Adam Barmby, CEO and Founder of EAV.

  8. A robot on bike paths? The next generation of last-mile delivery solutions

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    THEO is the name given to a self-driving robot delivery method, or ‘bot-as-a-service trike’, that operates on the bicycle path.

    The vehicle was developed in Germany and during testing has delivered its test orders to a closed university site. THEO is primarily designed to undertake fast, same-day delivery of goods and last-mile deliveries by logistics companies.

    The robot’s maximum speed is 20 km/h, with a trolley that can carry a maximum of 100 kg, in 8 individual compartments. THEO is 70 cm wide and 168 cm long.

    The designers describe THEO as a semi-autonomous trike, optimized for cycle paths. Semi-automatic means that THEO’s actions are monitored from a central control room. “If cycle paths are not available, [the robot] is also fast, light and agile enough to drive on conventional car lanes without causing congestion.”

    THEO is registered with Mobilitylab, a partnership between several provinces to get startup pilots off the ground in the field of mobility. The intention is that these startups will test their innovative solution in the regions of Rotterdam, Noord-Brabant, Limburg or Utrecht.

    (Image: Fietsberaad)

  9. Prague’s cargo bike boom – a case study for urban last-mile deliveries

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    Source: Autonomy Network

    Prague remains a key location for cargo bike urban integration, having opened two city center depots. After operating for a sustained period, the success of the scheme can now be evaluated.

    Prague’s two cargo bike depots opened in 2020 and 2021 respectively, being recognized by the 2021 Eurocities Awards as a low-carbon alternative to last-mile van delivery. The principal is simple, a van drops off packages at the central depot, which are then delivered across the city via cargo bike. In Prague, hilly terrain leads to a preference for e-cargo bikes, allowing riders to tackle tougher terrain with ease. Thus far, each depot has delivered approximately 7,000 orders per month, with each location housing up to eight companies.

    Successful collaboration between public and private sectors

    Operating companies pay a small fee to cover depot running costs, and hence, the city administration does not have to contribute a stake in the project outside of the initial construction cost. For a relatively low price, the depot helps to achieve Prague’s long-term vision to promote cycling and change its citizens’ attitudes to this means of transport. The depot also contributes to the city’s pledge to lower its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050.

    The project is a good example of cooperation between different actors. The pilot project was approved by the city council based on a study by the Prague Institute of Planning and Development. It took only three months to execute the proposal. Ekolo, the company setting up and running the depot, attributes this success to intense cooperation between the logistics firm and city-run companies.

    Domestic firm (Dámejídlo, Zásilkovna, Rohlík or WEDO) and international firms (DHL, Dascher, GLS) both profit from the innovation. Twelve enterprises use the two depots at present, but Adam Scheinherr, mayor’s deputy for transportation, is in talks with companies that could not be accommodated in the first depots. A representative of Ekolo started helping with similar cargo bike projects in London, Copenhagen, and Lille.

    Potential to inspire future action and lessons learned

    As the largest depots of their kind, Prague’s cargo bike scheme offers both a point of inspiration and a case study from which to learn. Of course, it is commonly accepted that electric cargo bikes are an optimal delivery vehicle; speedy, quiet, low polluting, cheaper, accessible, etc. however, new insight can now be utilized to further improve customer and driver experience.

    The key lessons learned for future projects were:

    • More depots are required: This will minimize driver distance and reduce delivery times.
    • Unsustainable trends must still be recognized: Overconsumption and the negative impact of deliveries and packaging are still prominent issues for the majority of parcel lifetimes. More localized production is required.
    • Worker experience must be improved: One recent example concerns an online grocery store, Rohlik.cz, one of the companies using the depot. The firm reduced the couriers’ wages (despite having almost doubled its profit last year), sparking public concern. Other difficulties of this job came to light, namely long working hours, lack of social security, and uncertain wages.