A study has concluded that electric cargo bikes can deliver approximately 60% faster than vans in city centres. The study discovered that electric cargo bikes had a higher average speeds and could drop off 10 parcels an hour, in comparison for six for vans.
These bikes are estimated to have cut carbon emissions by 90% in contrast to diesel vans, and also by a third in comparison with electric vans. The study, using GPS data from the cargo bike company Pedal Me, found that cargo bikes saved nearly four tonnes of CO2 across 100 randomly chosen days compared to vans, even when taking into account the food the riders ate.
Nearly 450 independent business and tradespeople across all of the UK are converting to using electric cargo bikes, especially since the pressure is mounting up in city centres as ‘carbon-free’ zones are being established across the country.
Councils across the UK are also embracing this technology. Manchester have undertaken a scheme to provide 26 electric cargo bikes and six trailers aimed for usage by business and community groups, but also available for residents across the city.