Cities are increasingly adopting zero-emission zones (ZEZs) as a core strategy to reduce local air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and road transport noise. While much of the policy and research attention has focused on passenger cars and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), there is growing interest in the role of light electric freight vehicles (LEFVs), including electric vans, cargo bikes, and small delivery trikes, as key enablers of sustainable urban logistics. A study by Chang and colleagues offers a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities and challenges associated with deploying LEFVs in ZEZs, based on use in the Dutch PostNL network, with implications for both research and practice.
A central conclusion of the article is that LEFVs have high potential to improve urban sustainability outcomes when integrated effectively into last-mile delivery systems. These vehicles, generally smaller and lighter than traditional diesel vans, are inherently better suited to low-speed, stop-start urban environments, where their limited range and payload capacities are less problematic. By replacing a significant portion of short-distance freight trips with LEFVs, cities can achieve measurable reductions in local emissions and noise, especially within dense ZEZs where conventional vehicles are restricted or banned.
However, the study also highlights that realising this potential depends on addressing operational and logistical constraints. First, the limited range and loading capacity of many LEFVs mean they are not a one-to-one substitute for larger electric or conventional light commercial vehicles on all routes. Instead, they are most effective when deployed in micro-hubs—small, distributed logistics centres where goods arriving from outlying depots are re-consolidated and transferred to LEFVs for final delivery. This approach requires robust planning of hub locations, freight flow patterns, and compatibility with broader urban logistics networks.
Second, infrastructure and regulatory support are essential. While ZEZs create demand for zero-emission vehicles, the absence of dedicated charging infrastructure tailored to LEFVs, including fast, high-utilisation charge points near delivery destinations, can limit adoption. Furthermore, existing traffic management and curbside access rules must be adjusted to prioritise micro-logistics operations without creating new bottlenecks or conflicts with public transport and active mobility.
A third conclusion is that data integration and performance monitoring are critical for evaluating the real-world impact of LEFVs. Many cities lack high-resolution data on delivery volumes, vehicle movements, and energy use at the street level. The authors argue that advanced monitoring, integrating traffic sensors, GPS telematics, and energy consumption data, will enable evidence-based optimisation of LEFV deployment and infrastructure planning.
From a research perspective, the article identifies several priority areas for future work:
- Comparative lifecycle assessments of LEFVs versus heavier electric freight vehicles to quantify net environmental benefits in different urban contexts.
- Simulation-based evaluations of micro-hub configurations to determine optimal spatial layouts and freight consolidation strategies.
- Policy experimentation studies comparing regulatory frameworks (e.g., incentives, curb access rules) to assess which combinations most effectively increase LEFV adoption.
- User behaviour research to understand logistics operators’ willingness to switch to LEFVs and identify business models that can sustain such transitions.
In conclusion, while LEFVs are not a universal solution for all urban freight challenges, they are a high-impact component of zero-emission urban logistics when integrated with smart logistics planning, supportive infrastructure, and enabling policies. Continued empirical research and pilot implementations will be essential to move from conceptual potential to scalable urban transportation solutions.