by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Cargo bikes and light electric vehicles (LEVs) are widely promoted as sustainable alternatives for commercial transport. Yet despite supportive policies, technological improvements, and rising environmental pressure, adoption remains limited. The core barrier is not purely technical or economic. It is organizational. A recent study by researchers at the German Aerospace Center introduces a 12-month long-term …
As cities introduce zero-emission zones, urban logistics is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This study examines how light electric freight vehicles (LEFVs) are being integrated into last-mile delivery in the Netherlands and how this transition reshapes logistics operations, urban infrastructure, and governance. Rather than focusing solely on vehicle technology, the paper highlights the organisational and spatial …
Growing pressure to decarbonise urban freight has intensified interest in cargo bikes as a low-emission alternative to conventional delivery vehicles. Grubmüller and colleagues provide a structured overview of how cargo bikes are currently used in logistics and of the emerging business models around them. Rather than focusing solely on environmental benefits, the paper examines the …
The rapid growth of e-commerce has placed unprecedented pressure on last-mile logistics, now one of the most expensive and environmentally impactful segments of the supply chain. In response, Ferreira and Esperança (2025) investigate how integrating electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence (AI) can jointly transform urban delivery systems into more efficient, sustainable operations. Their study …
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 …
Between September 2023 and February 2025, the City of Boston tested a new model for sustainable neighborhood deliveries through the Boston Delivers pilot project. This initiative replaced conventional delivery vans with electric cargo bikes to serve local businesses and organizations in Allston, Brighton, and surrounding neighborhoods. The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) partnered with Net Zero …
Cycle logistics has seen impressive growth in recent years, emerging as a vital part of urban freight systems across Europe. Unlike app-based platform couriers, cycle logistics operators have evolved organically from a wide range of origins — from major logistics providers to cooperatives and even public institutions. This diversity in origins reflects the sector’s adaptability, …
Urban mobility transitions are crucial for mitigating climate change and enhancing urban quality of life. Cargo bikes (CBs) offer a sustainable alternative to motorized vehicles thanks to their lower carbon footprint, space efficiency, and ability to reduce air and noise pollution. Cargo bike sharing (CB-sharing) promotes adoption by eliminating purchase and maintenance costs, though individuals …
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled the new London Safety Standard for Cargo Bikes, fulfilling a key commitment from its Cargo Bike Action Plan (CBAP) published in March 2023. The standard was developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and aims to promote safe practices as cargo bike usage grows across the capital. Raising Safety Standards …
Zedify announced that their journey might be coming to an end. Cambridge-based cargobike delivery service company Outspoken Logistics—trading as Zedify—has been placed in administration with the appointed administrators hoping for a quick sale to protect 38 out of 139 jobs. In March 2023, Outspoken Logistics secured $6.4 million in funding from institutional and angel investors. …