DPD e-cargo bikes initiative aims for ‘sustainable parcel delivery’

DPD have teamed up with Electric Assisted Vehicles Limited (EAV) in a sustainable initiative which aims to deliver parcels in an eco-friendly way. DPD’s shoppers will see their parcels being delivered via zero-emission fleet in July.

The new scheme, named Project 1 (P1) e-cargo bike has been announced yesterday at the eBike summit in Oxford, UK. It focuses on neutralising DPD’s carbon footprint through the use of e-cargo bikes in the UK.

“EAV is an incredibly innovative company and it has been fantastic to work alongside a British manufacturer to create such a highly customisable solution. Our aim is to be the most responsible city centre delivery company, which means neutralising our carbon footprint and developing smarter, cleaner and more sustainable parcel delivery services. Not only does the P1 look amazing, but it is also incredibly smart, flexible and future-proofed. As a result, the P1 is perfect for UK city centres and we are really looking forward to adding it to our rapidly expanding zero-emission fleet in July.”
– Dwain McDonald, CEO, DPD

“We would like to re-educate the population on common sense vehicle design and intelligent methods of mobility that deliver a sense of purpose and place for urban populations. We’re already thinking on how we can extend the technology for other uses. For example, the chassis design is modular, so we can extend, widen, or shorten the P1 for multiple applications. Full weather protection is also in development for year-round use in almost any climate or city location worldwide. Part of our business model is to make the P1 a rentable vehicle for the gig economy with an App operation for entrepreneurs so they can use it for their own businesses. We’re also looking at the P1 concept’s ability to carry passengers and we’re keen to work with the Department for Transport and Transport for London in order to evolve the regulations for this zero-emissions solution for future urban mobility.”
– Adam Barmby, founder and technical director, EAV

The initiative marks DPD’s continual push for sustainability following their introduction of all-electric parcel deports in Westminster, London in October 2018. DPD said that the new depot will see an initial reduction of 45 tonnes of CO2 per annum – which will increase as more all-electric vehicles and depots are introduced.