Cargo bikes save 80% more carbon per km than electric vans, finds study

Zedify’s latest Impact Report (for 2023) has uncovered a number of statistics, gleaned from the increasingly large cargo bike delivery network operator.

It found that cargo bikes save an average of 95% and 82% more carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per km than diesel vans and electric vans respectively. In 2023, Zedify saved 202 tonnes of CO2e and 426kg of NOx in 2023, the equivalent to 368 roundtrips from Land’s End to John o’Groats in a petrol SUV. Without intervention, the report reveals that urban last mile delivery emissions could reach 25 million tonnes of CO2e emitted annually by 2030.

Zedify now employs over 170 riders (a rise from the previous year) across nine cities, all paid a minimum of the real Living Wage.

It was also revealed that Zedify has started to manufacture its own cargo trikes incorporating reconditioned batteries.

Zedify co-founder and CEO, Rob King, commented: “Creating measurable change in UK cities is why we founded Zedify and it’s why we continue to push ahead with our mission to roll out the lowest carbon delivery model possible.

“Our commitment to zero emission deliveries is crucial in preventing the release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere and our latest report shows that cargo bikes are an incredibly effective way of doing that. They outperform the next best alternative- EVs- when it comes to CO2e emissions in the last mile and so it’s no surprise that cargo bikes are becoming an increasingly popular delivery option for brands looking to improve their sustainability efforts and do their bit when it comes to the UK reaching net zero.”

King concludes: “If up to 7.5% of urban motorised traffic could be shifted to cargo bikes, and if the UK was able to replace urban diesel van journeys with cargo bikes at this rate, this could have a greater impact than ceasing all domestic aviation emissions. The time to act is now.”