by Walther Ploos van Amstel
The study by Corvello et al. (2025) provides the most comprehensive attempt to date to integrate the fragmented research landscape on City Logistics 4.0 (CL4.0). By analysing 194 peer-reviewed papers, the authors propose a new conceptualization of CL4.0, synthesize technological, logistical, and sustainability perspectives, and outline a robust future research agenda. Four overarching conclusions emerge. …
Belgium is experiencing a rapid expansion of parcel locker networks, prompting the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) to launch a public consultation on their future development and regulation. Parcel lockers have grown nearly tenfold in six years: by the end of 2024, Belgium counted 1,684 lockers, up from just over 170 in …
A new government-commissioned study examines whether the Netherlands could introduce mandatory return charges for online clothing and the environmental impact that would have. While the concept seems simple, the findings are far more complex and highly relevant for e-commerce leaders. Returns: a structural and costly habit Free returns have become the norm: 71% of Dutch …
Battery-electric trucks (BETs) are widely seen as a core pathway to decarbonising heavy-duty road freight, but large-scale adoption remains difficult. A recent study examines how collaborative logistics, smart routing, and targeted policies can accelerate BET deployment for trucks used in middle-mile and long-haul operations—while managing costs and operational constraints. The research combines a new electric …
The linear “take-make-waste” model of the textile sector is increasingly recognised as unsustainable. In response, a new paper addresses the first-mile logistics of post-consumer textile (PCT) collection as a critical yet under-studied part of closing the loop. Their work focuses on the strategic assessment of collection value chains: how textiles, once discarded by consumers, are …
Europe’s transport transition is accelerating, and research shows that the next wave of innovation will depend less on single technologies and more on how digital, sustainable, and social dimensions of mobility come together. A new Joint Research Centre (JRC) report maps 247 EU-funded research and innovation projects in the field of smart mobility, representing more …
The last mile of parcel delivery – the movement from local depots to consumers – is becoming one of the biggest challenges in urban logistics. With booming e-commerce and fast delivery expectations, this stage is both the most costly and the most polluting part of the supply chain. Last-mile operations can account for more than …
Urban freight distribution has become one of the toughest sustainability challenges for modern cities. In a new study published in Transportation Research Part D, Jiménez and colleagues analyse how different distribution strategies influence operational efficiency and environmental impact of city logistics. Their goal is clear: to quantify how choices about vehicle deployment, routing, and consolidation …
The transition to zero-emission city logistics is not only about switching from diesel vans to electric ones. It’s also about rethinking the very vehicles we use. A recent study published in Future Transportation (2025) by Lucia Colonna, Edoardo Marcucci, Valerio Gatta, and Antonio Comi takes a deep look at one of the most promising alternatives …
The 2025 E-Commerce Trends Report: Business Edition by DHL reveals how digital transformation, sustainability, and AI are redefining global e-commerce. Drawing insights from 4,050 businesses across 19 countries, the study identifies five key developments shaping the sector: technological acceleration, omnichannel selling, sustainable operations, new payment and subscription models, and evolving B2B expectations. Technology and AIArtificial …