Which businesses can e-cargo bikes work for?

The recent Mintel Sustainability Barometer Report shows that 36% of consumers surveyed believe that companies are ultimately responsible for reducing vehicle emissions - and with the range of electric vehicles on offer growing every day, most businesses who use vehicles should be able to take control of their fuel costs and emissions by making the switch to electric. 

When it comes to e-bikes specifically, there are many practical ways to trade a larger vehicle for a two-wheeled alternative. For small businesses, or those who trade smaller products, it's straightforward switch; especially if many of your customers are located within a certain area. 

But e-cargo bikes aren' t just for small businesses - food delivery companies, construction firms, facilities management companies and hospital facilities firms are all feeling the benefits, too. In the Netherlands, DHL already makes 60% of inner-city deliveries on cargo bikes; the brand currently manages a fleet of nearly 17,000 cargo e-bikes and trikes, with an additional 5,000 on the way.

Cargo bikes are also 100% tax deductible, making them a great investment. Great news for businesses of all sizes!

Energy Saving Trust have created a helpful guide for businesses looking to electrify their delivery routes. The guide focuses on the 'last mile', which refers to the final delivery leg for packages, often undertaken by small diesel vans. Growth in online shopping and same-day deliveries has led to particularly high growth in this part of the supply chain, and the nature of shorter, local routes makes the 'last mile' ideal for e-cargo bikes.

If you're keen to see how an e-cargo bike could  help you save money and boost efficiency, we'd recommend speaking to other businesses in your sector about their experience with bikes, to get an idea of how it could work for you.

You can also book a test ride at your local supplier, and many even offer on-site trials to really put business on two wheels to the test.