UPS tests ‘e-walker’ in London

UPS is testing a new pedestrian delivery vehicle in a London district as part of a ‘clean air’ project.

Cross River Partnership (CRP), a non-profit and impartial partnership organisation, has launched the London Light Freight Walking Trial, part of the Defra-funded Clean Air Logistics for London project.

CRP has been working with The Fitzrovia Partnership, London Borough of Camden, UPS and Heal’s to bring this trial to life. The trial serves last-mile deliveries and will support the reduction of emissions and congestion in Fitzrovia.

UPS is conducting the e-walker trial in Fitzrovia daily, delivering packages to local residents and businesses on foot utilising an electric-assisted trolley developed by Fernhay. This trial runs until September 2024.

“Walking freight”

Walking freight is a mode of logistics where foot-based porters play a key role in deliveries and collections. Overall kilometres travelled by light goods vehicles (LGVs) could be reduced by up to 0.4% across Greater London (i.e. one in every 250 kilometres) if walking freight was expanded to its full potential in the CAZ (Central Activities Zone).

The economic benefits of walking freight are estimated to be at least £37 million per year, due to decongestion, decarbonisation, improved air quality, minimise noise pollution and reduced road wear. According to Defra’s Emission Factors Toolkit (EFT), expanding walking freight could reduce London’s carbon emissions by 4.7 kilotonnes per year.

The London Light Freight Walking Trial supports CRP’s vision to make London a better place to live, work and visit. CRP will be monitoring the impacts of the trial with UPS’s data from the pilot.