UPS has deployed its first eBike in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The electrically assisted tricycle supports Fort Lauderdale’s Green Your Routine program, geared toward achieving the city’s sustainability goals. UPS’s cycle solutions will help reduce carbon emissions and noise, as well as improve traffic congestion and air quality in the city’s downtown corridor.
Scott Phillippi, senior director of maintenance and engineering, international operations, UPS, said, “This is another example of how private and public sectors can work together to find sustainable solutions to meet the needs of today’s cities. We have many vehicle options when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment, including our cycle solutions that provide greater mobility and zero emissions.”
The success of the eBike was first demonstrated in 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where UPS focused on developing a new and sustainable method of delivering goods to urban areas. UPS placed four containers at central locations in the city for interim storage of packages for UPS drivers. From these points, deliveries were made on foot or with specialized electrically assisted cargo tricycles that ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions each working day. Due to the success of this pilot, the Hamburg program was extended.
The eBike is equipped with battery-powered electric motors that makes it possible to cover longer distances than traditional bikes, carry substantial loads and navigate hills and other terrain. The eBike can be operated solely on battery power or pedal power. UPS will evaluate the reliability, design, integration into Fort Lauderdale’s infrastructure and acceptance of the vehicle. The intent is to operate the eBike in Fort Lauderdale, as weather permits, on a regular route year-round.
December 5, 2017