Category «Policies»

Decarbonizing last-mile deliveries: When the national strategy fails to meet local needs and expectations

How do local governments in England view the future of low-carbon last-mile logistics? A recent study sheds light on the views of 35 local authorities and offers a deeper understanding of what’s needed to make sustainable urban freight a reality. The key takeaway? Behavior change and collaboration may be more powerful than technology alone—though far …

Zero-emission commercial vehicles: Tax benefits and incentives in Europe

Most European countries provide varying fiscal support to boost the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and vans. The updated 2025 ACEA report comprehensively examines the tax benefits and incentives for zero-emission vehicle acquisition and charging/hydrogen refilling infrastructure in the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Conclusions: Over a third …

E-lcv’s in residential areas?

Approximately 40% of vans are parked outside business parks, often at the homes of self-employed workers or employees. Only 20% of these households have a private driveway; the rest rely on public charging infrastructure. Vans typically charge in the evening or at night and have a higher charging demand than passenger cars. For municipalities, this …

Can housing and logistics activities be in the same neighborhood?

ChatGPT said: Combining housing and logistics activities in the same neighborhood is possible, but it requires careful planning and design to ensure livability, safety, and efficiency. High-performance and low-impact supply chains benefit from the presence of logistics facilities in proximity to goods’ destinations. ‘Proximity logistics’ is the development of logistics facilities in high-demand areas, which …

Learning from best practices in supply-side regulations for heavy-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector and the leading contributors to air pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. As zero-emission HDV technology matures, supply-side regulations (SSRs) have emerged as a key policy tool to mitigate climate and air quality impacts. A recent ICCT research brief …

Delivery drivers get more rights under new EU law

Crowd-shipping delivery drivers via online platforms are becoming increasingly common in last-mile delivery sector. Unlike zero-hour contract workers, these drivers are classified as independent contractors or freelancers, allowing providers to bypass employment legislation regarding zero-hour contracts. Platform work Last-mile providers engaging in these practices use their branded apps to onboard drivers as independent contractors, who …

Integrating city logistics in spatial planning in the Netherlands

There is a significant focus on reducing emissions from city logistics. However, even zero-emission vehicles occupy valuable urban space when unloaded onto roads and sidewalks. Despite the spatial impact of city logistics, it is seldom considered in spatial planning. Based on four case studies in the Netherlands, researchers explore how to actively integrate city logistics …

Urban studies must consider urban freight

In a new paper, the authors argue that urban studies must consider urban freight as a crucial component of ongoing urban transformations. The movement of goods is increasingly shaping cities, with uncertain implications for sustainability, livability, and justice. Despite its importance, freight logistics has been largely overlooked in urban studies. This paper aims to address …

What KPIs to use for smart mobility? The case of Barcelona

A recent article identifies and examines key performance indicators (KPIs) for citizen mobility logistics in smart and sustainable urban areas. It begins with a comprehensive literature review to identify essential KPIs, offering valuable insights for public and private stakeholders, including policymakers and mobility service providers. Drawing from various mobility projects in smart cities, the study …