London low-emission last-mile delivery project reduces CO2 & NOx

Promising results after three months of six-month Pimlico Micro Hub Logistics Trial
By Adam Hill August 21, 2023 Read time: 2 mins
Delivery Mates already operates five existing hubs in London (image: CRP)

A low-emissions last-mile delivery project in London, UK, has shown promising results at its half-way point.

Westminster City Council and Cross River Partnership (CRP) launched the six-month micro logistics hub trial in Pimlico, central London, in April to support greener last-mile
deliveries in the UK capital.

Supported by Infinium Logistics, the deliveries are carried out by Delivery Mates low-emission couriers: the number of e-cargo bike deliveries from the micro logistics hub had increased by 257% in the third month when compared to the first, with the bikes travelling 6,972 km.

When compared to van deliveries, this is a total emissions reduction of 2,936 kg of CO2; 7,253 g of NOx; and 259 g of PM2.5, says CRP.

Based in the Q-Park Pimlico indoor parking facility, the hub receives parcels from an electric delivery vehicle and then distributes them by electric cargo bikes.

The hub takes up an "under-utilised section" of the car park, with a surface area of 750 sq ft, which is around six parking bays' worth.

Q-Park Pimlico is surrounded by large and wide main roads, which are accessible to larger electric vans (with a 2m height restriction).

Another cargo bike courier already operates from this location, CRP says and Delivery Mates operates five existing hubs in London.

CRP is carrying out a range of trials, including one which delivers packages by foot: the London Light Freight Walking Trial.

It works with the Fitzrovia Partnership, London Borough of Camden, parcel group UPS and retailer Heal’s in the trendy Fitzrovia district of central London

To help with carrying the packages, UPS uses an electric-assisted walker which has been developed by Fernhay.

Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • California’s green transport solution – the electric cargo bicycle
    August 29, 2013
    An electric cargo bike, the 2x4 (two by four), developed by California-based NTS Works, can carry large objects into tight urban centres and other locations where deliveries by full-size vehicles can be difficult and costly, according to the company. The lightweight, compact 2x4 is only slightly larger than a conventional cycle and has a flat cargo bed in front that can hold up to eight grocery bags. An electric motor assists the rider when pedalling and is adjustable via a handlebar mounted display so
    Read More
  • Emissions reductions targets to have major impact on transport
    October 28, 2015
    As bold moves aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been introduced in California, David Crawford looks at the ramifications for transportation. California Governor Jerry Brown’s recent dramatic raising of the bar on emissions reduction policy for the state has won him praise from Japan, Australia, Europe and the secretariat of the critical UN conference on climate change being held in Paris in November/December 2015. His April 2015 executive order aimed at bringing emissions to 40% below 1990 lev
    Read More
  • European car manufacturers face world’s toughest CO2 targets
    July 12, 2012
    Following the adoption yesterday of the European Commission's proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) says it will now work with its members to conduct a full analysis of how the proposed targets should be reached as well as their feasibility, and what this means in practice for the industry as a whole.
    Read More
  • VW and Shell try to block EU push for electric cars
    April 29, 2016
    VW and Shell have united to try to block Europe’s push for electric cars and more efficient cars, saying biofuels should be at heart of efforts to green the industry instead. The EU is planning two new fuel efficiency targets for 2025 and 2030 to help meet promises made at the Paris climate summit last December. But executives from the two organisations launched a study on Wednesday night proposing greater use of biofuels, CO2 car labelling, and the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) instead.
    Read More

Highlighted Content