Scooter-sharing app Spin is trialling two new e-cargo bike initiatives in Essex in the UK to discover greener methods for delivering and replacing new e-scooter batteries.
Backed by the Ford Motor Company, Spin aims to reduce the use of its vans on the road to help mitigate congestion in the local area and contribute toward its aim of becoming carbon negative by 2025.
In Colchester, Spin is working with community-based initiative the Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project to deploy four e-cargo bikes to replace and recharge drained e-scooter batteries. Launched during lockdown, the Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery service supports a range of local independent businesses by providing a zero-emission delivery service utilizing e-cargo bikes.
In Chelmsford, Spin has also begun trialling a custom lightweight vehicle for e-scooter operators – the EAV 2Charge – which Spin co-designed with EAV Transport Solutions.
Steve Pyer, UK country manager at Spin, said, “Combating climate change is the defining challenge of our time and through our network of partners, including like-minded UK innovators and local businesses, we aim to transform how we operate the logistics side of our business. E-cargo bikes have the potential to deliver faster, cut congestion and improve road safety in urban areas when compared to vans. That’s why we have integrated e-cargo bikes into our daily operations when it comes to replacing batteries and moving around e-scooters to meet local demand as it fluctuates throughout the day.”
Through the initial three-month trial, Colchester E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project will replace approximately 20-30 low-charged batteries a day across Colchester and take them to be charged at various points across the town, while they are running deliveries for other customers with four e-cargo bikes. They will also act as Spin’s on-street ambassadors, a new initiative by Spin to inform the public and riders about the scheme.
Lee Pugh, founder of the E-Cargo Bike Delivery Project, said, “We are proud to support like-minded businesses such as Spin, who also want to tackle carbon emissions and create a greener transport system in Essex. We’re delighted to be able to contribute towards achieving cleaner air in the town and help educate the local community on why e-scooters need to be part of our future transport system. And on top of that, it keeps us in great shape as each bike weighs about 250kg when loaded with packages and batteries so it’s a real workout to pedal around.”
Earlier this month, Spin announced that it is a carbon neutral company and a signatory of the Climate Pledge, joining more than 100 other companies committed to climate action and decarbonizing the global economy. As a part of the Climate Pledge, Spin committed to measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis, as well as implementing decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations. Spin is the first micro-mobility company to share its detailed greenhouse gas accounting with the public.
In the UK, Spin is already using 100% renewable energy, where it is available, in its warehouses. Additionally, it is in the process of electrifying its operations vehicles by introducing full-size electric vans in all its UK locations to complement the e-cargo bike initiatives.