Tag Archive: logistics

  1. Microhubs as a growing solution of last mile logistics

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    Source: European Commission

    The EIT Urban Mobility Marketplace has published an article exploring the increasing role of microhubs in last-mile logistics and their potential to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of urban deliveries across Europe.

    Urban logistics contributes to more than 25% of transport-related emissions, influenced by congestion and the prevalence of high-emission delivery vehicles. The article presents microhubs – small, strategically located urban facilities where goods are transferred from larger vehicles to low-emission modes such as cargo bikes – as one approach to mitigating these challenges. These hubs may also offer services including vehicle charging, shared fleet use, parking, and goods consolidation.

    The article clarifies the distinction between microhubs and related infrastructure, such as delivery lockers and urban consolidation centres, and emphasises the need for coordinated public-private initiatives and strategic urban planning to support their development, particularly in densely populated areas.

    Three Horizon Europe projects are highlighted as examples of ongoing microhub initiatives:

    • Logroño, Spain (DECARBOMILE project): A microhub within the San Blas Market facilitates the transfer of goods to electric cargo bikes. Additional services under development include waste consolidation and community-based deliveries.
    • Bologna, Italy (URBANE project): This pilot integrates microhub lockers and light electric vehicles for B2B logistics, with the support of digital tools to enhance operational efficiency.
    • Athens, Greece (GREEN-LOG project): The initiative is trialling micro-consolidation centres and mobile depots, featuring a shared electric vehicle and smart parcel lockers to streamline urban distribution.

    These projects illustrate various approaches to integrating microhubs in urban environments, with objectives that include emission reduction, improved logistics processes, and more efficient use of city space.

    The article can be read in full here.

  2. 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.

  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. Brussels Green Deal city logistics deadline for project submission extended to 22 September

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    Source: Mobilise

    Call for projects aimed at reducing logistics emissions across the Brussels-Capital Region remains open until the end of the working week

    As part of Brussels’ Green Deal on Zero Emission Urban Logistics, the call aims to support projects that lack support and cannot see the light of day due to lack of initial funding. It is designed to stimulate collaboration within the Green Deal, and is open to existing signatories, as well as those who wish to sign on at the same time.

    The purpose of the Urban Logistics Green Deal, which was launched in April of this year, is to bring together a community of pioneering organizations that want to move forward faster and further in the transition of logistics in Brussels. At the launch, figures were shared illustrating that, while accounting for only 17% of the kilometres travelled in Brussels, freight transport is responsible for 41% of NOx emissions, 30% of fine particle emissions and 29% of Brussels’ CO2 emissions from transport. Through this Green Deal, the Brussels-Capital Region wishes to support and promote the actions of companies that are pioneers in the transition to low-emission logistics.

    The aim of the call for projects is to:

    • stimulate the Brussels-Capital Region’s Urban Logistics Green Deal
    • support a minimum of 3 projects aimed at reducing logistics emissions
    • fund selected projects to the tune of €10,000 to €300,000 per project
    • support selected projects during the 2024 calendar year
    • support selected projects with the expertise of the Mobilise research group

    For detailed submission information, applicants can head to this page of the environnement.brussels website.

  5. 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.

  6. Call for projects: Urban Logistics Green Deal, Brussels

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    Source: VUB Mobilise

    The Urban Logistics Green Deal brings together a community of pioneering organisations with a shared ambition of moving faster with the transition to greener logistics in Brussels. This call for collaborative projects is one of the supports offered to green deal members and aims to generate new partnerships with existing and potential signatories.

    The Urban Logistics Green Deal has the following aims:
    • stimulate the Brussels-Capital Region’s Urban Logistics Green Deal
    • support a minimum of 3 projects aimed at reducing logistics emissions
    • fund selected projects to the tune of €10,000 to €300,000 per project
    • support selected projects during the 2024 calendar year
    • support selected projects with the expertise of the Mobilise research group

    Brussels launched the Green Deal Urban Logistics in April 2023 as part of its ‘Shifting economy‘ strategy and the ‘Good Move‘ plan. A credible alliance of public and private like-minded groups and organisations, the aim is to speed up measures aimed towards a less polluting logistics sector. Freight and logistics transport has many negative consequences, for example air pollution, congestion and road accidents. The Urban Logistics Green Deal aims to find an ecological solution by addressing the transport and storage of goods based upon measures that include: promotion of multimodality, connection between logistics players, development of local logistics real estate or logistics hubs, optimisation of deliveries and orders in large companies, and the use of cargo bikes or electrification of vehicles. Find out more about the Green Deal here.

    In addition to the Brussels ambitions and commitments, each of the signatory organisations individually commits to implementing their central measures by 2025. Details of signatory organisations and their commitments can be found in the Urban Logistics Green Deal convention.

  7. Groningen shares the secrets to smooth and sustainable city logistics

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    Source: Mobility Innovation Marketplace, L. Steinberg

    The city of Groningen, the Netherlands, is lauded as an innovator when considering sustainable urban logistics. Following an informative keynote by Lior Steinberg, we now share some of the city’s successes.

    Have you ever considered exactly what goes on out of sight in our cities, that enables us to enjoy the comfort and luxuries of everyday life that we have all become accustomed to? At the touch of a button, we can have orders delivered straight to our door. This delivery system or, urban logistics, is a complex but very productive network and we all love it. But sometimes it doesn’t function perfectly, and this can affect all of us.

    Factors to consider when contemplating urban logistics include traffic congestion and pollution. Some cities have been proactive and addressed such issues – one example being Groningen in The Netherlands. In a quest to improve standards of living, Groningen has been making improvements for decades and is keen to share its strategy for a sustainable city.

    Timing. Perhaps the most logical of all improvements, Groningen has capped the delivery times for cargo and delivery vehicles in specific areas of the city. Deliveries are now only possible between 5am and 12pm unless via a dedicated permit. Rush hour congestion is aided and thus, pollution levels drop, as do the often-forgotten noise pollution levels. Concise planning is required by those using delivery services – particularly businesses – and a faster-flowing network functions well. The strategy has been in place in certain areas for a number of years, but as of 2023, it applies to the entire city, one that is dedicated to improved social activities for those who visit.

    Polluting vehicles. Some might regard this as an obvious strategy, but Groningen has gone that little bit further than most. From 2025, only electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles and those under human power will be allowed in the city.

    Hubs and last-mile implementation. Groningen has constructed several last-mile hubs around the city. Multiple goods are transferred to these hubs by transport services, at which point electric cargo bikes and sustainable methods take over the handling of deliveries to their final destination.

    Cargo Bikes. The relationship which the Netherlands has with bicycles is globally recognised, particularly in Europe. As a nation of devotees of this mode of transport in everyday life, cargo bikes with their sustainable and practical approach have been championed in the country. Now with constantly-developing electric drive systems, deliveries of many sizes will be made faster and more economically distributed.

    Knowledge and collaboration. Keen to expand its founded success, and in a quest to improve our way of life, Groningen has shared its strategies with other European cities. Their approaches have been widely published and projects including Intereg’s Smart Urban Freight Logistics Hubs and Horizon’s Urban Logistics as an On-demand Service have been included in Groningen’s agendas. Let’s hope other cities take advantage of this knowledge.

  8. Autonomous robot trialled for last-mile deliveries in Helsinki

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    Electric parcel delivery robot will do the rounds for 1 month

    Source: TheMayor.eu and Forum Virium Helsinki

    Facing a growing population and increasing logistics challenges, the City of Helsinki has opted for a truly modern solution. The people of Jätkäsaari district will enjoy the opportunity to collect their packages from an autonomous and environmentally-friendly electric delivery robot, as part of a trial scheme lasting from November 2 to December 10 2021.

    The city has an innovation company called Forum Virium Helsinki, which has teamed up with the start-up LMAD, GIM Robotics, and DB Schenker, to find out how an autonomous delivery robot can facilitate improvements to urban logistics. It is specifically the area of last-mile delivery which presents the most challenges, and opportunities.

    As for the practical delivery of the service, customers simply select DB Schenker and the LMAD robot when placing an order. Much like any other courier service, they will receive a link for setting their delivery preferences, and at this point they choose their preferred time and location from a set route. When the robot arrives at that spot, it sends a code to the recipient, who can then unlock and collect the package.

    Antti Jarva, who is in charge of DB Schenker’s package business in Finland said, “DB Schenker is actively involved in the innovation of the logistics industry. In Finland, we have developed package pick-up points in particular to facilitate smooth flows of goods to various residential environments. We study the use of delivery robots as one pick-up point solution for densely populated urban areas”.

    LMAD is the company who operates the robot. Co-founder and Product Lead Gergely Horváth said, “For us, this is an excellent opportunity to test an autonomous delivery service with the residents of Jätkäsaari. We want to learn how our solution brings additional value to both residents and our partner, DB Schenker. Our aim is to offer a service that is a convenient, flexible and environmentally friendly option while simultaneously reducing logistics costs”.

    During the pilot, the robot is accompanied by an operator who ensures safe and smooth execution. Moving at walking speed, it employs sophisticated sensors and lidar technology, to observe and react to its surroundings, and stop for any obstacles.

    Photo credit: Forum Virium Helsinki

  9. New lightweight wheel for heavyweight cargocycles

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    LEVA-EU Member Alligt introduce their third 20″ wheel, CBW3 (Cargo Bike Wheel 3), made of high quality plastic with fiberglass. It is designed for the heavier multitrack cargocycles up to 600 kg with 4 wheels. After some further testing, Alligt is hoping to release it for a static load of 150 kg per wheel and for assistance up to 25 km/h. The weight of the plastic part of the wheel is 1.4 kg, the weight of motor plus wheel is around 5 kg.

    The first motor, which has been specifically adapted for this wheel has been produced by the Canadian company Grin Technologies. The details for the motor attachment were developed in consultation with GRIN. Alligt want to further cooperate with GRIN with a view to facilitating future lightweight cargovehicles together and adapting wheel and motor to future market demand.

    The first pair of wheels will be assembled in the GoLo, a new cargocycle developed by LEVA-EU Member Flevobike. These motors then sit together with the bottom bracket generator from Bike2.dk in one of the possible drive lines. The GoLo with CBW2 front wheels and CBW3 rear wheels can be seen at World of eMobility on November 18,19,20 in the Expo Haarlemmermeer.

    More features of the wheels including 3D files can be found at cargobike-wheels.com.
    For all further details please contact Leo Visscher, +31 321 337 838, leovisscherkorver@gmail.com