Zero-emission urban logistics by 2025
The European Commission has set a target for city centres to be free of particulate matter and CO2 by 2030. Even earlier, in 2025, the Netherlands wants to achieve emission-free urban logistics with the Green Deal Zero Emission Urban Logistics. This means that in the future, city centres will only be allowed to be supplied by emission-free vehicles. From 1 January 2025, all delivery vans and lorries registered with a number plate must be emission-free at the exhaust. For existing vehicles, transitional arrangements will apply, depending on the Euro class and vehicle type. Electric freight transport is essential to achieve this objective.
Better insight into urban logistics
In addition to climate goals, accessibility, quality of life and a healthy economy are also high on the agenda for cities. This sometimes leads to conflicting interests between policymakers and transport operators. How do you ensure that shops are well supplied while neighbourhoods remain easily accessible for residents?
Heleen Budeo Rai is an expert in this field. She is an Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. We asked her five questions about urban logistics, sustainability and the role of e-commerce.
1. What are the biggest challenges facing urban logistics?
On the one hand, there are sustainability goals. We see cities as major pioneers in aligning with climate goals. Certainly at the local level, there is a strong ambition to be sustainable and improve quality of life. And secondly, logistics is highly complex. If you look at collective awareness, the subject is virtually non-existent. Yet logistics plays an indispensable role in our society and is also responsible for a large proportion of CO2 emissions."
2. What are some good examples of city hubs?
We have now reached a point where there is consensus that they are extremely important. City hubs are essential in the transition to alternative transport options. I would even go so far as to say that we can no longer do without them. Not only for organising transhipment activities, for example from lorries for supply to cargo bikes for delivery, but also as storage spaces. If you look at all the small, frequent deliveries or parcels that need to be delivered the next day, there is a greater need for storage space in the city. In addition, we must avoid inefficiency.
We agree that they are necessary, but what is not yet clear is where they should be located, what they should look like, how big they should be, who should pay for them, etc. Good examples? I worked in Paris for three years and in this city, a lot of thought has already been given to these kinds of issues. In France, the La Poste group is an important pioneer (parcel delivery and e-commerce). What we see is that the various branches have one or more city hubs. These are located in old car parks or redeveloped buildings. These city hubs have been around for a while and they ensure that transport distances can be reduced. This brings the switch to new forms of transport within reach. And they are certainly successful. The city is open to it and has been investing in it for years.
3. Which technologies are key to solving urban logistics?
It is challenging to create a list. For me, it involves sharing information between urban logistics and e-commerce, between end customers, retailers, and delivery companies.
Not only to share information, but also to organise processes as effectively as possible so that external costs and environmental impact are minimised.
4. How can cities, transport operators and e-commerce companies work together to promote sustainable urban logistics?
The default is home delivery, fast delivery or next day delivery. And that is usually free of charge too. Many people want their parcel quickly, but it does not always have to be “next day”. We now know that from research. We could also choose to charge extra if you want your parcel delivered the next day. In addition, we could change the default “home delivery” to a parcel machine (in an urban environment). The reason we haven't changed that default yet is because there are certain assumptions within the sector that people don't want these kinds of changes."
5. What is the role of consumers in sustainable e-commerce?
You increasingly have the option to choose green delivery, delivery in reusable packaging, or delivery that takes a little longer. In the city, consumers are better off choosing a delivery point instead of home delivery. City dwellers already have more access to so many shops and goods; in that case, a physical shop is recommended, and you should definitely not return or send anything back.