Eight electrically-assisted four-wheel delivery bikes will now operate from FedEx Express’ London City and Hornsey stations, replacing six conventional diesel vans and saving an estimated 22,000kg of CO2 emissions per year.
E-bike manufacturer Electric Assisted Vehicles Ltd (EAV) worked with FedEx Express to develop and test the new model e-cargo bikes after being awarded £150,000 from the Department for Transport’s Freight Innovation Fund programme.
The latest model of e-cargo bikes has been designed for use in all weather conditions, with wheels specifically designed for freight operations. The chassis has fewer moving parts, making ongoing maintenance easier, and the optimised load capacity is designed to streamline delivery operations.
The e-cargo bikes can carry up to 170kg for 45 miles on a single battery charge. The batteries are recharged via a standard 3-pin plug, so the bikes don’t require any special charging infrastructure at the stations.
FedEx Express currently operates a total of 34 e-cargo bikes in the UK, complementing its vehicle fleet in Greater London, Glasgow, Cambridge, Huntington and Norwich, where they have replaced diesel vehicles to serve low emission zones.