DfT seeks ideas for using e-cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a call for evidence for proposals on how more ‘last mile’ deliveries can be carried out using electric cargo bikes and electric vans.

According to the DfT, the consultation, which goes under the title, The Last Mile – A Call for Evidence on the opportunities available to deliver goods more sustainably, “will allow us to improve our understanding of the scale of opportunity as well as some of the current barriers to delivering goods more sustainably.”

It says that the call for evidence is aimed at helping it examine:

how electrically powered e-vans, micro vehicles and e-cargo bikes can provide better service to customers for cargo in comparison to light commercial vehicles

the scale of the potential environmental and other benefits

the barriers to sustainable last mile delivery

what incentives might be appropriate to encourage a large-scale shift to clean, last-mile delivery options

measures to improve logistical efficiency (eg urban consolidation centres / hubs).

While the government acknowledges that electric vans and electric cargo bikes can be more efficient and have a lower environmental impact than light commercial vehicles, it has highlighted some potential barriers to their adoption.

Those include the higher labour costs for electric cargo bikes, which carry smaller loads than a van, although that is offset by the lower cost of the bikes compared to the motor vehicles they would replace.

Restrictions on the weight an electric cargo bike can carry, and their unsuitability for some kinds of loads, has also been coted as a possible issue, as is the question of insurance.

The replacement of large out-of-town warehouses by more localised urban consolidation centres is another issue that needs addressing, although the DfT points out that improvements in efficiency could lead to lower costs for operators as well as reducing congestion and air pollution.

The DfT also highlights electric cargo bikes as being particularly well-suited to the narrow streets often found in the UK’s historic cities.

Transport minister Jesse Norman said: “In recent years the Department for Transport has taken steps towards encouraging sustainable last mile delivery, including through the Road to Zero strategy, the Clean Air Fund, the creation of one of the most comprehensive global programmes of support for ultra low emission vehicles and through the £246 million Faraday Battery Challenge.

“Now we are seeking your thoughts, experience, evidence and expertise on how we can harness new opportunities for greener delivery in the commercial and residential parts of our cities and towns.

“Last mile deliveries have been transformed in recent years by the growth of home deliveries driven by the boom in internet shopping. This has led to a marked rise in van traffic.

“According to the latest road traffic estimates van traffic increased by 4.7% to 49.5 billion vehicle miles in 2016 alone.1 Most of these vans are diesels. Thus this shift has had immediate economic benefits for consumers, but it has also led to congestion, poor air quality and other environmental problems.”

He added: “The purpose of this review is thus for us to learn from as wide a range of stakeholders as possible as to the scale of the opportunity.

“We want the UK to explore all modes of e-cargo and emerging transport technologies for last mile deliveries, so we can help create beautiful, liveable, green and connected towns and cities.”

Some major businesses have already begun using electric cargo bikes in their day-to-day operations.

Earlier this year, the supermarket operator Sainsbury’s began a trial of using them to deliver groceries from its Streatham Common store in south London.

> Sainsbury's launches electric bike delivery in London

The trial is being run in partnership with e-cargobikes.com and the bikes, which can carry several orders at the same time, are able to satisfy 100 deliveries a day.

When the scheme was launched, Clodagh Moriarty, Sainsbury’s director of online said: “We’re delighted to be the first supermarket to trial grocery deliveries by electric cargo bikes.

“We’re always looking for new ways to make sure we can best serve our customers and this trial will help us explore whether there might be a more flexible way to deliver Sainsbury’s groceries to those who live in busy cities.”

Other companies trialling electric cargo bikes include the delivery firm UPS, which last year started a pilot scheme in London and which says that each of its bikes can handle a load of up to 200kg.

The consultation, which forms part of the government’s Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, closes at 11.45pm on 10 September 2018, and you can find out how to respond here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-last-mile-a-call-for-evi...