Last mile delivery - How cargo e-bikes can help with city deliveries
Table of Contents
What is the "last mile" delivery?
The “last mile” refers to the final section of the supply chain in which goods are transported from the distribution center to the end customer. A product or parcel is loaded into ever smaller transport vehicles on its way to the end customer. This also reduces the distance to the end consumer.
The final delivery phase is associated with the highest costs, the greatest expenditure of time and various logistical challenges in the shipping process. In fact, the costs for the last mile account for up to two thirds of the total costs of parcel delivery services.
The last mile has become a key issue for logistics companies and delivery services, especially in the age of online retail. Parcel delivery figures for Swiss Post almost doubled between 2010 and 2022 (from 110 million to 194 million parcels).
Urban planners and authorities who need to find solutions for urban mobility are also challenged, as the growing number of deliveries has an impact on traffic and the environment, especially in urban areas.
Last Mile Challenge - The importance of the last mile delivery in the urban supply chain
The last mile poses problems and as the volume of deliveries in cities increases, a number of challenges arise:
Traffic density:
In urban areas, traffic is often dense and congested even without delivery vehicles. This can significantly extend delivery times. Delivery traffic also contributes to traffic congestion.
Narrow streets and delivery zones:
In city centers, streets are often narrow and parking spaces are limited, which makes delivery with conventional transport vehicles more difficult. In addition, not all roads in city centers can be used, or only at certain times. This makes the delivery less flexible.
Environmental impact:
Delivery traffic with conventional vehicles contributes to air pollution and noise in cities. This reduces the quality of life in affected areas.
High costs:
The costs for the last mile are associated with high costs due to the above-mentioned challenges.
Route planning and parcel delivery:
The last mile can only be planned at short notice because different deliveries are made every day and the number can vary depending on the day or season (“Black Friday”, Christmas, etc.). An ideal route for delivery is therefore difficult to realize. In addition, many recipients are often not on site to receive the parcel. This leads to repeated shipping.
Current solutions and their limitations
The last mile problem cannot be solved with conventional vehicles such as delivery trucks alone. That is why there are already very different approaches to solving this challenge.
Logistics drones and driverless fleets
Large companies such as Amazon and UPS have been testing the use of logistics drones for years. These are to fly from door to door and deliver parcels. This would no longer affect traffic.
In practice, this solution has some limitations: A drone has a short range (batteries) and can only be loaded to a very limited extent.
This concept may work for the delivery of one package, but if dozens of parcels are to be delivered, the drone is not a suitable solution. Therefore, it cannot fully replace the classic delivery service.
However, the solution still has potential, for example if several drones are used as a fleet from a larger delivery vehicle to supply a nearby area.
Parcel stores / micro-depots
Parcel stores are one solution to relieve traffic congestion and counteract the fact that recipients often cannot be found at the delivery location. However, this does not meet the expectations of all customers, as they want delivery to their front door. Such collection points can therefore help to ease the burden, but they will not solve the issue overall.
In contrast, micro-depots are a central storage and distribution location for transport companies. Logistics partners such as Hermes, GLS or DPD can drive to this logistics hub using a cargo e-bike and then deliver the goods to the customer. Micro-depots are in use in Berlin, Hamburg and Dresden, for example.
Click & Collect
Retailers can use offers such as Click & Collect to help people return to the stores to buy a product themselves. This can reduce the volume of parcels, which helps to decongest urban traffic.
While this does not solve the core of the problem, if several mechanisms are operated and all parties involved in the last mile challenge work together, the effects start to become noticeable.
Electric vehicles
Electric delivery vehicles can make the last mile more eco-friendly. So far, the size, range and load capacity of vehicles have been an obstacle to last-mile logistics.
Most electric vehicles on the market are compact family cars that are not suitable for transporting large quantities of goods. But the rapid development of larger, lighter commercial vehicles with electric engines offers the promise of a solution. However, this will not yet reduce the volume of traffic in cities.
Electric cargo bikes can be an alternative, with a generous loading area that can provide sufficient storage space for inner-city deliveries.
Cargo e-bikes as an innovative solution for last mile mobility
Different electric vehicles such as electric bikes, electric scooters and cargo bikes are grouped under the umbrella of micro-mobility vehicles. These are already being used for food and grocery deliveries, among other purposes.
A WHU study predicts that by 2040, delivery vans will be used that are powered exclusively by electricity. In city centers, this also includes cargo e-bikes.
Cargo e-bikes have already advanced to the point where they can compete with conventional small commercial vehicles.
Cargo e-bikes are regarded as an innovative last mile solution and are optimally equipped as transportation vehicles. With an average range of up to 65 km, up to 50% of all goods in European cities could theoretically be transported using these load e-bikes. In addition, pallet-sized deliveries with a payload of up to 300 kg (corresponding to 1.5 m³) are now possible without any problems.
Advantages of cargo e-bike delivery
Environmentally friendly: In contrast to fuel or diesel-powered vehicles, cargo e-bikes do not emit any exhaust gases and therefore contribute to improving air quality in urban areas.
Efficiency: In congested areas, cargo e-bikes can often travel faster when compared to cars, as they can avoid congestion and find parking spaces more easily.
Cost-effective: The running costs for cargo e-bikes are significantly lower than those for delivery vans.
Flexibility: Cargo e-bikes can also be used in narrow streets and pedestrian zones, enabling delivery to the front door.
Urban suitability: Cargo e-bikes contribute to a quiet and liveable urban environment.
XCYC Cargo E-Bikes - The sustainable last mile transportation solution
Safe, reliable and individual – that’s mobility with XCYC Cargo e-bikes. The Allround and Work PICKUPs are designed for a wide range of transportation tasks and are becoming steadily popular with companies as cargo delivery e-bikes.
This is partly due to these advantages:
No driver's license required
Unlike many other means of commercial transport, drivers of XCYC PICKUP Cargo e-bikes do not need a driver’s license, which makes it easier to hire operators and reduces operational costs for companies. This makes the XCYC PICKUP models attractive for companies seeking cost-efficient and easy-to-use transport solutions.
Load capacity up to 300 kg
Parcels and other goods not only take up space on the last mile, they also weigh a lot. A stable construction and high load capacity are therefore a key requirement for a cargo e-bike.
The XCYC Cargo e-bikes fulfill this requirement effortlessly. The XCYC PICKUP Allround has a permissible total weight of 250 kg. The XCYC WORK 4.0 carries even more load. It has a permissible total weight of 300 kg.
Large loading area: so everything can fit in
The XCYC cargo e-bikes offer an impressively large loading area that is suitable for a wide range of transportation requirements. With a variety of superstructure options, the loading area can be individually adapted to the individual requirements of the user.
- Tarpaulin superstructure: With dimensions of approx. 1300 x 1000 x 1200 mm, the tarpaulin superstructure offers a generous loading area that is easily accessible via side and rear zippers.
- Railing structure: The railing body measures 1300 x 1000 x 460 mm and has internal dimensions of 1210 x 900 x 460 mm. It can be opened at the back and contains a short clamping bar for securing loads.
- Transport box: With dimensions of 1300 x 1000 x 1200 mm and a weight of 35 kg, it offers adequate space and protection.
Load volume & dimensions | Max. Permissible payload | Possible additional accessories that can be added to the superstructures | |
XCYC Work railing superstructure | 1300 x 1000 x 460 mm (L x W x H), internal dimensions 1210 x 900 x 460 mm (open top) can be opened at the back; incl. 1 Clamping rod short for railing superstructure Work | Up to 150 kg | 1. wall set for railing structure Work
2nd railing door for railing superstructure Work
|
XCYC Work aluminum transport case | 1.5 cubic meter 1300 x 1000 x 1200 mm (L x W x H) 35 kg Lockable double door
| Up to 150 kg | Optional: individual branding |
XCYC Work Smart transport case | 1.5 cubic meter Polypropylene 1300 x 993 x 1379 – Two doors: one back door & one side door – Mechanical lock | Up to 150 kg | Optional: individual branding |
XCYC Work Smart transport case | 1.9 cubic meter Polypropylene 1549 x 993 x 1379 (L x W x H) – Two doors: one back door & one side door – Mechanical lock | Up to 150 kg | Optional: individual branding |
XCYC Work tarpaulin structure | 1300 x 1000 x 1200 mm (L x W x H) Tarpaulin fabric made of PES carrier fabric with zippers at the side and back for opening | Up to 150 kg | Optional: individual branding on three or four sides |
XCYC Work Municipal superstructure | Color black 1300 x 1000 x 460 mm (L x W x H) incl. Railing structure with wall set and handle holder for two tools (suitable for e.g. 2x SULU MGB-120l waste garbage cans – not included) | Up to 150 kg | Optional: additional clamping rods |
XCYC Allround railing superstructure | 750 x 850 x 460 mm (L x W x H), internal dimensions 678 x 780 x 460 mm (open at the top) can be opened at the rear; incl. 1 short clamping rod for Allround railing system | Up to 100 kg | 1. wall set for railing superstructure Allround
2nd railing door for Allround railing superstructure
3. outdoor bag for Allround railing superstructure
|
XCYC all-round aluminum transport case | 870 x 670 x 670 mm (L x W x H), 30 kg Volume 300 liters (0.3 cubic meters) | Up to 100 kg | – |
Multifunctional body systems: For even more flexibility
XCYC cargo bikes can be used for a wide range of transportation requirements thanks to multifunctional superstructure systems.
The aluminum transport case is therefore ideal for the safe transportation of valuable or sensitive goods such as food or medicines. The railing superstructure is a practical and flexible solution for transporting medium sized loads and can offer even more protection and stability with the wall kit. The tarpaulin structure protects parcels from moisture, e.g. from rain. Thanks to the roll-up hooks, loading and unloading is particularly easy.
These options make the XCYC cargo e-bikes a valuable addition to any traditional logistics solution.
Success stories: The streets are already getting greener!
Cargo e-bikes are already on the roads to tackle the last mile challenges. Flagship projects include DB Schenker, which has cargo e-bikes in use in countries such as Germany, Norway, Sweden, Austria and France. Small and large parcels are delivered daily.
As part of the SmartCity initiative, cargo e-bikes are combined with micro hubs as a transshipment point for parcels and goods such as food and the goods are delivered in city centers.
Transpack in Paris
XCYC cargo bikes are also used by transport companies for last-mile deliveries. Transpack in France, for example, uses them to deliver parcels to its customers over the last mile.
Other examples of use
Smaller companies are also embracing the new transport solution. The XCYC Cargo e-bikes can be used by courier and delivery services, in retail and the catering or in hospitality industry. Retailers who don’t want to be dependent on micro-depots, for example, can simply deliver directly to their customers from the store – on a cargo e-bike, of course. The same applies to orders in the gastronomy and catering sector.
The cargo e-bike allows delivery service directly to the house. You can find out how CAP supermarkets achieve this and how MrBrunch uses cargo bikes to deliver food in the article on delivery services with cargo bikes.
Conclusion: The future of urban delivery with cargo e-bikes
Cargo e-bikes are not just a vision of the future, they are already a reality today. In the coming years, they will play a central role in sustainable and efficient urban supply chains.
Cargo e-bikes are not a vision of the future, they are already a reality today. In the coming years, they will play a central role in sustainable and efficient urban supply chains.
Companies and city administrations should recognize and promote the potential of these innovative vehicles for the last mile in order to shape a more sustainable and liveable future.