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This vehicle is your best bet for city deliveries

This vehicle is your best bet for city deliveries

2/5/2018
Patrick Okkersen
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It seems to be the latest trend: the small electric vehicles and cargo bikes that are increasingly navigating our cities. Think cargo bikes with bicycle couriers or compact vans from PostNL and City Hub.

The benefits of these types of vehicles are stacking up: they are small, move easily in traffic, are more efficient in the city than a delivery van, and are easy to park. And, crucially, they are emission-free. But which vehicle should you choose? Students from the HvA (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) took a closer look at the logistical possibilities for supply and delivery in cities using these Light Electric Freight Vehicles (LEFVs). We helped them out with that.

LEFV Battle

For many entrepreneurs, urban distribution is a top priority, especially with the introduction of environmental zones in various locations. The Urban Technology Research Programme at the HvA conducts research into logistical possibilities for supply and delivery in cities. Recently, the students organized an LEFV battle, a competition where two teams, using different light electric freight vehicles, delivered goods in Amsterdam.

3 Vehicles

During the battle, the teams delivered to addresses across the city using three different vehicles. An electric cargo cart (Stint), a Cargo Bike (Urban Arrow), and an electric mini-van (Goupil) went head-to-head. The students entered the addresses via RoutiGo, which then sent them the most optimal routes via the app. From each team, one member remained behind to manage the back office. He directed the delivery personnel and handled customer service. If no one was home, the back office decided whether the delivery person should make another attempt or if the package should be delivered the next day. Through RoutiGo's software, he relayed all this information to the delivery person with a single click of a button.

And the winner of this test is…

Which vehicle emerged as the winner? (drumroll)…. The Goupil! The students cited the main advantages as its load capacity, maneuverability, flexibility, and of course, the vehicle's comfort. They found the Stint easy to handle and control, but also very slow, and the Cargo Bike to be an active vehicle, but not very practical. The entire research project runs until August 28. During the concluding final conference, the students hope to provide clear advice on the role and regulations of electric vehicles in traffic. Curious about the progress of the research? View the aftermovie here!

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