DHL has partnered with micromobility start-up CityQ to introduce its e-cargo bikes in London, as part of Norwegian-German manufacturer’s UK launch.
According to CityQ, carriers such as DHL are increasingly seeing cargo bikes as a good option for last mile delivery in inner cities. Its platform is not only sustainable, but also very efficient as riders can avoid congestion and go door-to-door without looking for parking spots.
Additionally, deploying the e-cargo bikes also reduces the chance of parking fines, which CityQ stressed is a big issue for such last mile deliveries.
These chain-less bikes also enable carriers to recruit drivers without driving licenses. Able to travel at a max speed of 25kmh (15.5mph), the ebike has pedals but also two strong rear motors enabling riders to go easily uphill with marginal efforts.
The bikes are also designed to be more robust, able to operate 24/7 with no need for expensive or difficult charging infrastructure.
“We are getting daily requests for pre-ordering both the cargo ebike as well as the passenger ebike. We have started delivery to customers in a few selected European markets but must now allocate our production capacity carefully – selecting which customers to serve first,” said Morten Rynning, CEO of CityQ.
“We have spotted a gap in the micromobility market – between two wheeler ebikes and small micro cars. And we decided not to make a bike – but the first modular vehicle platform fitting a range of different small pods and four wheel ebikes. Both B2B and B2C models.”
CityQ has been recognised for its unique car like design, safety and comfort – as well as for the technology platform including connectivity and chainless “pedal by wire” drive train. It has been selected as top 50 start-up to watch for Smart Cities. This followed it being selected to an E+ accelerator in the European Innovation programme for Urban Mobility.
