Who has never been stuck behind a truck while unloading their goods? In addition to taking up a lot of space on the road, these kinds of transport have a significant impact on air pollution in cities. The innovative and ecological alternative is found in the delivery by electric bikes. Why is this kind of transport part of the future of the logistics sector?
Traditional delivery: the impact on the environment?
In 2019, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) conducted a survey on the impact of road traffic in Brussels. This survey estimated that in 2019, air pollution in Brussels cost €50,000 every day, mostly spent on health costs.
Although these figures are already quite alarming, this is not the only estimate that the research center of the VUB has made. Indeed, after refining the research, they discovered that almost 14% of the traffic represents only the delivery of goods. Worse still, this 14% of traffic generates 33% of the CO2 emissions in Brussels, not to mention other environmental nuisances: noise, double queuing, poor visibility of the road, etc.
100% electric delivery, a revolution in progress
Electric delivery is on the rise and several large companies are now turning to this environmentally responsible way of transporting goods. Whether it is via electric bikes, three-wheelers or even utility vehicles running on electricity, many companies have recently integrated this type of electric vehicle.
Electric delivery, these companies have taken the plunge
Among these innovative companies, we find for example the giant Amazon and the brewery company AB InBev, which have both relied on the use of electric trucks to make their urban deliveries.
Amazon, headed by multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos, has committed to being carbon neutral by 2040 as part of The Climate Pledge. To achieve this, the company has invested in the development of a 100% electric delivery vehicle. By 2030, 100.000 vans will provide electric delivery throughout the world.
AB InBev, on the other hand, has been quicker and its first electrically powered truck has already made its first 100% electric delivery in Leuven last December. The beer giant will now deliver to the center of Leuven with its electric vehicle. The brewing company has already placed an order for a second electric truck, which will be used in the streets of Brussels.
Electric delivery by bike, the ecological delivery
With the rapid progression of e-commerce due to the global pandemic crisis, the transport sector also continues to develop with its share of trucks and therefore of pollution.
Therefore, it is essential to think about alternatives to reduce these emissions of fine particles in the air as well as a way to relieve traffic congestion in downtown areas. Electric delivery is the new “trendy" of transport to adopt in the logistics sector. At Urbeez, we have understood this and are already using electric bikes and cargo bikes to transport goods throughout Brussels.
The advantages of electric bicycle delivery
Choosing to switch to a delivery that runs solely on electricity offers you several advantages.
1. Speed of delivery
Thanks to its smaller size, the e-cargo bike easily passes through narrower or residential streets where a truck would have to make a detour. Moreover, with the new 30km/h speed limit in Brussels, the advantage is now with the electric bikes which do not have to wait in traffic jams.
2. Better accessibility
Our Urbeez couriers can move around the city more easily, especially in areas where cars are not allowed: pedestrian areas, parks, etc. These areas are accessible to bicycles and allow them to reduce the distance they have to travel and the time they have to deliver.
3. Ecological delivery
Delivery by cargo bike is part of an environmentally responsible approach. Collaborating with Urbeez couriers allows companies to adopt an ecological communication strategy that is a real bonus in this day and age. By way of comparison, a commercial vehicle emits an average of 150g of CO2 per km, whereas an electric bicycle delivery emits almost nothing.
4. Flexibility in delivery volume
Contrary to popular belief, a cargo bike does not only transport small volumes. There are different types of cargo bikes that allow for the delivery of larger packages through the use of trailers. At Urbeez, we deliver parcels up to 300 kg anywhere in Brussels.
Encouraging electric delivery in the city
For a few years now, the Brussels government has been encouraging companies to use electric bicycle delivery. This mobility policy aims to relieve the capital of the many goods trucks and thus to ease the traffic flow.
The Good Move plan of the Brussels-Capital Region, approved in 2020, aims to encourage sustainable mobility in the city through bicycle logistics and the use of electric cargo bikes. Moreover, several large cities in Belgium are actively developing their networks of electric charging stations to encourage the increase of this ecological movement in their city centers.
Companies have everything to gain by turning to companies such as Urbeez for fast and environmentally friendly delivery of their goods. This 100% electric revolution represents the future of the urban transport sector.
Urbeez: 100% electric delivery throughout Brussels
Founded in October 2020, this innovative Brussels startup offers green solutions to all companies that want to reduce their CO2 emissions in city centers.
Urbeez promises a fast, non-polluting, more economical delivery service tailored to the needs of each company. Indeed, in order to best satisfy the requests, Urbeez has cargo bikes, but also several 3 or 4-wheel vehicles with trailers to transport larger loads.
Don't hesitate to ask for your free quote now.