Evri, a prominent delivery company, has disclosed plans for a £19 million investment aimed at enhancing sustainable delivery methods across the UK. This initiative includes the expansion of what is set to become the UK’s largest fleet of electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes for parcel delivery.
The company intends to increase its e-cargo bike fleet from 33 to 99 within the next year and expand its electric vehicle (EV) fleet from 168 to 270. Over the next decade, Evri aims to boost its e-cargo bike fleet to 3,000 units as part of its broader strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2035.
Currently, Evri operates electric cargo bikes in several major cities including London, Bristol, Oxford, and Cambridge, handling 1.5 million parcel deliveries annually. The firm has established a dedicated ‘final-mile electrification taskforce’ charged with developing solutions and strategies to transition its last-mile deliveries to a completely emission-free operation.
Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri, stated, “The expansion of our e-cargo bike operations is crucial as we work towards redefining parcel delivery services in the UK. We are committed to becoming the sector’s largest operator of e-cargo bikes.”
Evri has reported a 9% reduction in carbon emissions over the past year, attributing this achievement to its ongoing sustainability efforts. The new investment is expected to significantly enhance Evri’s capabilities in sustainable parcel delivery.
E-cargo bikes, known for their zero tailpipe emissions, can deliver up to 110 parcels in one trip with a single vehicle potentially saving approximately 250 grams of carbon per delivery. With the planned expansion, Evri expects to deliver 4 million parcels annually via e-cargo bikes, potentially saving over 400,000 driver miles.
Additionally, the company plans to phase out diesel vehicles from its ParcelShop and SME collection routes by introducing 148 EVs to its fleet by the upcoming Christmas period, followed by an additional 122 vehicles by spring 2025. This will mean that over half of Evri’s ParcelShop operations will be conducted using electric vans.
To support this transition, Evri is set to invest over £1 million in expanding its EV charging infrastructure across its network of depots and hubs. By 2035, the company aims for all deliveries to be conducted using vehicles powered by alternative fuels.
Evri’s comprehensive sustainability efforts have already resulted in a 21% reduction in carbon emissions per parcel for the fiscal year 2023-24, bringing it down to 370 grams per parcel delivered.
