Evri accelerates the deployment of electric cargo bikes to reduce emissions
Evri, a parcel delivery company, is accelerating the deployment of electric cargo bikes to reduce the carbon emissions of its deliveries. It plans to increase its fleet from 33 to 99 electric cargo bikes this year, aiming to reach 3,000 bikes over the next ten years. This project is part of a broader £19 million sustainability initiative, positioning Evri as the largest operator of electric cargo bikes for parcel delivery in the UK.
Fleet expansion
Currently, Evri’s electric cargo bikes are already in use in London, Bristol, Oxford, and Cambridge. The company claims to deliver 1.5 million parcels a year by bike or electric vehicle, with the ambition to triple this figure to around 4 million parcels next year. Each bike can carry about 110 parcels per trip, and with zero emissions, Evri claims that a single delivery by electric cargo bike can generate up to 250g of carbon reduction per parcel.
Environmental impact and commitment
Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri, said: “The power of pedaling will intensify our efforts to reinvent parcel delivery in the UK as we aim to become the largest operator of electric cargo bikes in the industry.” He also highlighted a 9% reduction in carbon emissions since last year. This £19 million initiative aims to bolster Evri’s ambition to become the most sustainable parcel carrier in the UK.
A 2022 study revealed that van drivers and fleet managers recognize the benefits of electric cargo bikes, but concerns about infrastructure mean most see electric vans as the next logical step to achieving the UK’s emission reduction goals. Evri indicates that its expanded sustainability team has already reduced carbon emissions per parcel by 21% for the 2023/24 financial year, bringing this figure to 370g per parcel delivered.
Outlook and sustainable future
Pauline Potter, Director of Procurement and Sustainability at Evri, said: “Evri is committed to having a positive impact on the environment and promoting a sustainable future. Our multi-year ESG plans represent a significant leap forward, and we are confident that these initiatives will propel us toward our goal of carbon neutrality.”
She added: “We are investing not only in technology but also in our people, encouraging them to be part of the solution. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for the parcel delivery industry and the communities we serve.”
