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EIT Study: Mixed Fleets of E-Cargo Bikes and E-Vans Reduce Costs Significantly

A study compares the use of e-vans and e-cargo bikes in terms of cost and climate impact. It shows that a mixed fleet of e-cargo bikes and e-vans is more cost-effective for logisticians than purely e-van fleets. Regulations as a driver.

Mixed Deployment: Using e-cargo bikes in combination with e-vans, logistics fleets can significantly reduce their costs. | Photo: Larry vs Harry
Mixed Deployment: Using e-cargo bikes in combination with e-vans, logistics fleets can significantly reduce their costs. | Photo: Larry vs Harry
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von Johannes Reichel

A new study by EIT InnoEnergy, an innovation driver for sustainable energy supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union (EU), has examined the use of mixed electric fleets in terms of cost and CO2 savings. According to the study, the combined operation of e-cargo bikes and e-vans, compared to a fleet composed of 100% e-vans, achieves significant cost savings and improves overall quality of life in cities.

Up to 80 Percent Lower Costs in Last-Mile Logistics

The study shows that large logistics companies, delivering two billion packages annually with a mixed fleet of 80% e-cargo bikes and 20% e-vans (in comparison to an all e-van fleet), can achieve annual cost savings of up to 554 million euros by 2030. At the same time, CO2 emissions in the area of last-mile logistics can be reduced by up to 80%. In light of the annually increasing volume in the e-commerce sector by 8-14%, logistics companies are trying to improve their profit margins while simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions.

Regulations as a Driver of Change

Regulations, such as the upcoming central Stockholm ban on internal combustion engine vehicles, are additionally pressuring companies to decarbonize their last-mile delivery services. Given these challenges, the study offers new insights regarding the costs, operations, and sustainability of e-cargo bikes. It presents clear comparisons between ICE van fleets, e-van fleets, and mixed fleets.

"Logistics service providers are facing multiple challenges simultaneously: increasing package volumes, stricter regulations, and the need to cut costs in a low-margin business," says Jennifer Dungs, Global Head of Mobility at EIT InnoEnergy. "The study shows that e-cargo bikes are not only a sustainable solution to meet these challenges but also a competitive and profitable option for large logistics companies – both today and even more so by 2030."

The results show that the use of e-cargo bikes reduces the total cost per package compared to e-vans, regardless of the fleet mix and urban infrastructure. In the reference case of the study, which assumes a delivery fleet consisting of 60% e-cargo bikes and 40% e-vans in a large, densely populated city, the total cost per package in 2023 is €0.05 lower than for a fleet consisting entirely of e-vans (€1.36 compared to €1.41). By 2030, this difference per package would increase to €0.20 per package.

By 2030, the savings will increase significantly

For a large logistics company with two billion packages delivered annually, these savings would amount to approximately €95 million in 2024 and about €390 million by 2030. In an optimized scenario (80% e-cargo bikes and 20% e-vans in a medium-sized city), the savings compared to a 100% e-van fleet would be even greater: a reduction of €0.08 or 5.3% per package would sum up to annual savings of around €156 million for a large logistics provider in 2023.

This cost difference per package would increase to €0.28 or 17.0% by 2030, corresponding to cost savings of €554 million. The authors highlight that these cost reductions are achieved despite the additional costs associated with mixed fleets, primarily due to higher personnel costs for package sorting in micro-fulfillment centers and delivery.

Advantages for Cities: Reduction of Emissions and Traffic

In addition to monetary savings, there are also advantages for cities, such as the reduction of CO2 emissions in the 100 largest European metropolises by up to 80%. Furthermore, 120,000 delivery vehicles are eliminated, freeing up space and helping to avoid traffic jams. Compared to purely electric fleets, the study shows that mixed fleets relieve local power grids and save the annual energy consumption of up to 850 households per city.

"Cities and logistics providers have a strong interest in collaborating to exploit the potential of mixed fleets. There are excellent opportunities for developing public-private partnerships to optimize infrastructure planning and ensure that the benefits in terms of sustainability, land use, and cost savings are fully realized. This study aims to guide decision-makers in Europe in addressing the growing parcel volume, maintaining cost-efficiency, and designing last-mile delivery in a more flexible and sustainable manner," added Dungs.

Translated automatically from German.
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