DHL brings e-cargo bike delivery trials to Miami
DHL Express is partnering with REEF Technology, one of the largest operators of parking, mobility and logistics hubs in North America, to pilot the use of four new low-power electric-assist e-cargo Cycles for deliveries across Miami.
The three-wheeled cycles are equipped with accompanying cargo container and are capable of pulling up to 400 pounds or 60 cubic feet in volume. Each e-cargo bike enables DHL to take one conventional delivery van off the road.
The pilot is part of DHL’s GoGreen strategy to implement clean pickup and delivery solutions in the short term, for 70% by 2025.
REEF operates networks connecting people to the world through creating last-block mobility and logistical hubs that serve the needs of cities, residents and businesses. REEF manages the hubs that will serve as the home base for the e-cargo bikes that DHL is using during this pilot. REEF’s technology-driven infrastructure provides congestion-reducing buffering zones and environmentally-conscious parking, micro-fulfillment and delivery solutions to enable the frictionless movement of goods and services, so said the firm.
“We are excited to partner with DHL and the City of Miami to shape the future of last-block delivery,” said REEF Technology CEO Ari Ojalvo. “We appreciate Commissioner Manolo Reyes and his leadership on this issue from the outset and are grateful to Mayor Suarez, Ken Russell the District 2 Commissioner, the Downtown Development Authority, as well as the Miami Parking Authority for leading the way to make freight deliveries safer and more sustainable for the entire community.”
DHL Express U.S. CEO Greg Hewitt added: “We are thrilled to be leveraging the REEF ecosystem and deploy these new environmentally-friendly vehicles not only to support our emissions-reduction efforts, but also significantly reduce the challenges associated with urban business deliveries, improving safety, productivity and costs, They reinforce our own ongoing program to minimize our environmental footprint and support the city government’s efforts to promote sustainable city living.”
Starting in 2015 when DHL introduced its four-wheel Cubicycle in Europe, DHL implemented the City Hub concept which supports cargo bikes within urban areas. For the Miami e-Cargo cycle pilot, a DHL straight truck equipped with a customised trailer will carry up to nine cargo containers for the e-Cargo Cycles. The containers are delivered to the REEF Hub, where they will be quickly connected to the e-Cargo Cycles at REEF Hub garages for last-mile inner-city deliveries in the morning. The containers can then be reloaded for outbound shipments in the afternoon. The four e-Cargo Cycles being deployed in Miami will result in an expected reduction of 101,000 kg of CO2e annually.
DHL couriers will receive comprehensive training to operate the e-Cargo Cycles on the street to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local traffic regulations.
