An electric cargo bike
A fleet of 21 eCargo bikes has been purchased by MK Council as part of its zero carbon initiative. Milton Keynes are one of the counties incorporating electric transport into its infrastructure as part of its zero carbon initiative. MK have purchased a fleet of 21 eCargo bikes, with a capacity of 630 litres, that will be utilised by the council’s tree and highway inspectors to travel around the borough.
These electric cargo bikes will also be available for local businesses to lease as a part of the city’s ‘smarter travel scheme’ to assist businesses in reducing emissions and transport costs. Moreover, three of these bikes will be available for social enterprise. MK aims to become carbon free by 2030 and purchased the electric cargo bikes through funding provided for the Department for Transport.
MK council’s social care team for children recently swapped to electric cars last year, which has been reported to be a UK first for a county. Averagely, a social workers travels 150 miles per months and the team now shares four electric cars for their short journeys across the country, making a significant impact to their carbon output. The Highway and tree inspection team travel roughly 5,000 miles each year and this will now be mainly taken by electric cargo bikes.
Across the UK 18 local authories, who have successfully secured funding, will be purchasing a total of 273 electric cargo bikes and 9 electric cargo trailers. MK is looking to continue exploring alternative travel options, to carry on generating transport savings and improve air quality.
Nottingham have also purchased a fleet of electric cargo bikes, in association with Raleigh, after the authority was successfully in acquiring nearly £50,000 from the Energy Saving Trust in government funding.
The Nottingham Cycle City electric cargo scheme seeks to initially establish itself in Nottingham in three main trial areas; An internal fleet, local delivery partners and local businesses.
Nottingham haven't stopped there either. At the end of 2020 they intended to be among the first in receiving fully electric waste refuse collection vehicles. NCC expect to utilise these vehicles for 10 years, as opposed to the 7 year life span of the current diesel vehicles. And with predicated fuel savings of £10,000 per year, and further savings of £6,000 for cheaper maintenance, these vehicles are predicated to save over £300,000 over their lifetime.