Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, has invested in two new EAV 2Charge e-cargo bikes to trial in Essex, UK as part of its commitment to become carbon negative by 2025.
Spin will use the EAV 2Charge vehicles to trial an e-cargo bike delivery service to replace and recharge drained e-scooter batteries in Chelmsford. This is part of a new local community-based initiative called the Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project.
Spin is kicking off a trial of the UK’s first custom-made, ultra-lightweight vehicle for e-scooter operators, the EAV 2Charge, which Spin co-designed with EAV Transport Solutions. The idea is to provide greener logistics for e-scooter distribution and battery exchanges.
Steve Pyer, Spin UK country manager, said: “Combating climate change is the defining challenge of our time and through our network of partners, including like-minded UK innovators and local businesses, we aim to transform how we operate the logistics side of our business.
“E-cargo bikes have the potential to deliver faster, cut congestion and improve road safety in urban areas when compared to vans. That’s why we have integrated e-cargo bikes into our daily operations when it comes to replacing batteries and moving around e-scooters to meet local demand as it fluctuates throughout the day.”
A recent study in London showed that cargo bikes deliver about 60 percent faster than vans in urban areas. Plus, they also delivered more parcels per hour compared to vans.
By removing vans from the roads, safety on the roads is also expected to improve as vans and heavy goods vehicles were involved in more than 30 percent of fatal collisions between 2015 and 2017.
Launched earlier this year during lockdown, the Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project supports a range of local independent businesses, and now Spin, with a zero-emission delivery service utilising e-cargo bikes.
With this trial, Spin aims to reduce the use of its vans on the road to help mitigate congestion in the local area. Through the initial three-month trial Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project founder Lee Pugh and his team will replace approximately 20-30 low charged batteries a day.
Lee Pugh, E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project founder, said: “We are proud to support like-minded businesses such as Spin, who also want to tackle carbon emissions and create a greener transport system in Essex.
“We’re delighted to be able to contribute towards achieving cleaner air in the town and help educate the local community on why e-scooters need to be part of our future transport system.
“On top of that, it keeps us in great shape as each bike weighs about 250 kg when loaded with packages and batteries so it’s a real workout to pedal around.”
