Ghent trials free electric delivery vehicles

Up to 7,000 tonnes of goods are delivered to Ghent's central area each week via 40,000 van and trucks. In an effort to reduce emissions from these activities in the Belgian city, companies delivering goods are being offered the opportunity to participate in one of two pilot projects which are funded by the municipality. 

Starting in the autumn of this year, the first gives firms the chance to test electric vehicles for free, while the second offers financial support to work with a local ‘last-mile’ provider:

1. The first pilot offers companies, sole traders and non-profit organisations the opportunity to test of a zero emission vehicle for a week free of charge, in the period between 23 September and 13 December 2024. Interested parties can choose between an electric truck, a box truck, a refrigerated truck or van, a light electric freight vehicle or an e-cargo-bike. Participants will also receive 'advise and customised logistics services'. 
2. The second pilot simply offers the same target group the option to receive €6,000 funding for using last-mile delivery providers that consolidate deliveries and goods from the edge of the city and deliver them then to the city centre.

Ghent’s move is motivated by improving the quality of life in the city. Sofie Bracke, Ghent's Alderman for the Economy, stated: “By 2030, we want city logistics to be as emission-free as possible, but entrepreneurs are not alone. We give them time to prepare, and we offer support. In this way, we want to motivate them to take the step towards sustainable logistics".

A recent study by the EIT consortium InnoEnergy investigated cost and emissions savings of a large logistics company when using a mixed fleet of 80% e-cargo bikes and 20% e-vans compared to sole use of e-vans only. It found that, when delivering 2 billion parcels per year, savings of up to €554 million per year could be reached by 2030 when compared to a 100% e-van fleet. In addition, this switch could also reduce last-mile logistics emissions by up to 80%.

Jennifer Dungs, Global Head of Mobility, EIT InnoEnergy, stated: “Logistics providers today are dealing with many simultaneous challenges: rising parcel volumes, stricter city regulations, and the need to save costs in a low-margin business. This study demonstrates that e-cargo bikes are not only a sustainable way to address these challenges, but also cost-competitive and viable for major logistics players – already today, and even more so by 2030.”

Author: Claus Köllinger

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.