Electric Assisted Vehicles Limited (EAV), the Oxfordshire-based sustainable zero-emissions electric eCargo bike company, will have their EAV2Cubed eCargo bikes exclusively deployed by leading zero emissions logistics provider Delivery Mates at a new micro hub facility launched by Westminster City Council in London.
The ground-breaking project is part of the Defra-funded Clean Air Logistics for London programme. The project aims to move more freight into London via river rather than road supported by zero emission eCargo bike delivery methods and using micro logistics hubs in Central London.
Kevin Savage, Delivery Mates COO, said: “We are hugely proud to be working on this exciting project. Opening a Micro Logistics Hub in Pimlico will further strengthen Delivery Mates’ capability to deliver sustainable logistics to customers, residents and local retailers.
“We look forward to playing a part in reducing congestion, removing emissions and creating a safer delivery environment for all stakeholders within Westminster.”
Online purchases will be delivered by Delivery Mates using EAV2Cubed and EAV2Cubed+ cargo bikes. Based in the Q-Park Pimlico parking facility, the hub will receive parcels from an electric delivery vehicle and then distribute them by EAV eCargo bikes in Westminster and the surrounding area.
Loading and unloading will take place within the car park, respectful of local residents and to keep noise levels at a minimum. Delivery Mates already operate five existing hubs in London and have shared important data and insights, such as projected CO2 emissions savings and the number of parcel collections and deliveries expected so the trial can be fully monitored.
Adam Barmby, EAV founder and CEO, said: “Again, EAV is at the cutting edge of providing and proving new, innovative solutions for city-based logistics. This trial micro hub project allows EAV to work with both Westminster and Delivery Mates, both of whom are setting the international standards in urban lightweight commercial vehicle utilisation.
“It’s going to be exciting to see how the trial performs – although we’re confident that EAV bikes will achieve all the set objectives being more efficient and safer than vans, reducing congestion and being emissions-free.”
Researchers at the University of Westminster used GPS data to compare routes taken by cargo bikes in London with routes that vans would have to take to deliver the same parcels. Results show that services provided by cargo bikes in London are 1.61 times faster than that performed by van, which in a year saves over 14,500kg of CO₂ and over 20kg of NOx (nitrogen oxides).
