Cargo bikes save over 80 percent more carbon per km than electric vans

Cargo bikes save an average of 95 percent and 82 percent more carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kilometre than diesel vans and electric vans respectively, according to findings from Zedify, the UK’s largest cargo bike delivery network.

Founded in 2018, Zedify’s mission is to help create healthier, cleaner, more liveable cities. It works with major retail brands, parcel carriers and independent businesses across the UK to provide more sustainable last mile deliveries using cargo bikes. 

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Meet the team from Zedify at the National Cargo Bike Summit 2024: 10 May, London

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Zedify's 2023 Impact Report also shows that the company saved 202 tonnes of CO2e and 426kg of NOx in 2023, the equivalent to 368 roundtrips from Land’s End to John o’Groats in a petrol SUV. Without intervention, the report reveals that urban last-mile delivery emissions could reach 25 million tonnes of CO2e emitted annually by 2030.

If up to 7.5 percent of urban motorised traffic could be shifted to cargo bikes, and if the UK was able to replace urban diesel van journeys with cargo bikes at this rate, this could have a greater impact than ceasing all domestic aviation emission

For full workings on how this data was calculated, see the working out pages.

Zedify co-founder and CEO, Rob King, comments: “Creating measurable change in UK cities is why we founded Zedify and it’s why we continue to push ahead with our mission to roll out the lowest carbon delivery model possible.

“Our commitment to zero emission deliveries is crucial in preventing the release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere and our latest report shows that cargo bikes are an incredibly effective way of doing that. They outperform the next best alternative- EVs- when it comes to CO2e emissions in the last mile and so it’s no surprise that cargo bikes are becoming an increasingly popular delivery option for brands looking to improve their sustainability efforts and do their bit when it comes to the UK reaching net zero.”

Zedify, which has also started to manufacture its own cargo trikes incorporating reconditioned batteries, employs over 170 riders, across 9 cities all of whom are paid a minimum of the real Living Wage.

King concludes: “If up to 7.5 percent of urban motorised traffic could be shifted to cargo bikes, and if the UK was able to replace urban diesel van journeys with cargo bikes at this rate, this could have a greater impact than ceasing all domestic aviation emissions. The time to act is now.”