UPS has started testing an electrically supported cargo bike for the delivery and pickup of packages in the city of Basel, Switzerland, to explore the economic and ecological viability of this alternative transportation mode for inner cities over a period of four weeks.
The battery-supported tricycle has a capacity of 1.5 cubic metres and can carry loads weighing up to 150 kg. The cargo bike itself weighs 115 kg, including the 250W battery. Thanks to its compact design and width of just 1 metre, the bike is ideally suited for city centres and urban areas.
"By using cargo bikes in a targeted manner, UPS aims to reduce inner-city congestion, noise and emissions," Philip Healey, marketing manager, UPS Switzerland, said. "This form of urban delivery also offers a distinct advantage to UPS itself, as it reduces the time spent on searching for a suitable parking position, saving valuable time."
The trial results will be studied by a public-private working group focusing on city logistics in Basel, UPS said. The company already uses battery-aided cargo bikes in Hamburg, Germany.
The pilot project in Basel is part of the company’s global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2013, UPS reduced absolute CO2 emissions by 1.5% compared to the previous year, despite the fact that its global transport volume increased by 3.9% during the same period.
