DHL Express has partnered with REEF Technology, the largest operator of parking, mobility, and logistics hubs in North America, to pilot the use of four new low-power electric-assist e-Cargo Cycles for deliveries across Miami.
The three-wheeled cycles are equipped with an accompanying cargo container and are capable of transporting up to 400 pounds or 60 cubic feet in volume.
The two companies are bringing the environmentally friendly e-Cargo Cycles to Miami as part of the DHL GoGreen strategy to reduce the logistics group’s carbon footprint. The short-term goal of DHL is to implement clean pickup and delivery solutions for 70% of its operations by 2025.
Each e-Cargo Cycle deployed enables DHL to take one conventional delivery van off the road, reducing road traffic, noise and pollution while still providing fast efficient deliveries for customers.
DHL Express U.S. CEO, Greg Hewitt, said: “We are thrilled to be leveraging the REEF ecosystem and deploy these new environmentally-friendly vehicles not only to support our emissions-reduction efforts, but also significantly reduce the challenges associated with urban business deliveries, improving safety, productivity and costs.
“They reinforce our own ongoing program to minimize our environmental footprint and support the city government’s efforts to promote sustainable city living."
REEF Technology CEO, Ari Ojalvo, commented: “We are excited to partner with DHL and the City of Miami to shape the future of last-block delivery.”
REEF manages the hubs that will serve as the home base for the e-Cargo Cycles that DHL is using during this pilot. The company’s technology-driven infrastructure provides congestion-reducing buffering zones and environmentally-conscious parking, micro-fulfilment and delivery solutions to enable the frictionless movement of goods and services.
Starting in 2015 when DHL introduced its four-wheel Cubicycle in Europe, DHL implemented the City Hub concept which supports cargo bikes within urban areas. For the Miami e-Cargo cycle pilot, a DHL straight truck equipped with a customized trailer will carry up to nine cargo containers for the e-Cargo Cycles.
The containers are delivered to the REEF Hub, where they will be quickly connected to the e-Cargo Cycles at REEF Hub garages for last-mile inner-city deliveries in the morning. The containers can then be reloaded for outbound shipments in the afternoon. The four e-Cargo Cycles being deployed in Miami will result in an expected reduction of 101,000 kg of CO2e annually.
DHL couriers will receive comprehensive training to operate the e-Cargo Cycles on the street to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local traffic regulations.
