Dive Brief:
- DHL Express has instituted a new pilot program involving bicycles, hauling a customized "city hub" trailer to ease last mile urban deliveries, Logistics Manager reported Wednesday.
- A special "cubicycle," designed to haul a maximum load of up to 125 kg, will haul the trailer once the shipment delivered to a central loading point. Once deliveries are complete, the trailer can then be reloaded for outbound shipments.
- In some European markets, the DHL cubicycle has replaced up to 60% of inner-city vehicle routes, which hsa the added benefit of significantly reducing carbon emissions. The cubicycle can also more easily circumvent heavy traffic and stop twice as often per hour as a delivery vehicle.
Dive Insight:
The carbon emissions saved by DHL's cubicycle is a public attention grabber for employing human-powered deliveries, but the innovation also solves a consistently challenging issue for logistics: last mile deliveries in tight, crowded urban markets.
UPS has its own cycle delivery program in Portland, Oregon, a city known for its green-friendly attitudes. Whether via a traditional bicycle employed during rush hour or to an eBike powered by batteries and pedal power during less crowded hours, UPS' bicycle program allows for swift maneuverability along densely populated city streets. Further, by launching in a strategically chosen location like Portland, the company ensures that it can charge appropriately for a sustainable service.
The cubicycle is not DHL's first venture into the greening of their delivery program. In fact, the company has an entire GoGreen program, offering customers a variety of green products and services. DHL also views sustainability as having competitive business value, such as for potential consumers — and investors — who choose greener methods in their purchasing decisions.
