Monday 12 October 2020

Asda trials electric delivery bike to reach customers in pedestrianised areas and zero emission zones

Asda has announced it will expand its trials of electric-assisted cargo bikes, which aim to allow customers to receive their weekly food shop with zero carbon emissions.

Weighing 150 kilograms, the bikes can reach speeds of up to 15mph and have ultra-lightweight chassis made of a bio-recyclable flax and carbon composite.

Flax is a food and fibre crop cultivated in cooler regions of the world and is commonly used for textiles.

The unit behind the driver's cab can carry up to ten full tote bags of shopping, which is the equivalent of two customer orders.

Drivers are only required to pedal only for short periods of time to maintain speeds of 15mph and can use the hold button to maintain speeds of 3.7mph without any effort.

The e-cargo bike, which was developed by the new generation vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing company Electric Assisted Vehicles, was used by the retailer as part of a two-week trial to make deliveries from its Cambridge store, as it looks at solutions to reach customers who live in pedestrianised areas and zero-emission zones.

Simon Gregg, Vice President of Online grocery at Asda, said: “As we look to the future of retail we have to consider new and innovative ways to continue to offer great service to our customers whilst navigating things like low emission zones and pedestrianised areas.

"A solution such as this would allow us to get into town and cities where access is limited, using either roads or cycle lanes."