Logistics specialist Whistl has participated in the UK’s first emission-free delivery trial, which took place over a week transporting the daily packages from Whistl locations in Birmingham and Glasgow.
The initiative, led by XeroE in partnership with Varamis Rail, integrated containerized cargo bikes, electric vehicles and electric rail freight into a seamless, sustainable distribution chain.
XeroE’s electric vans transported the goods from the depot in Birmingham to the train station. The goods were then loaded onto Varamis’s overnight electric train to Glasgow. On arrival, an electric van moved them to XeroE’s depot before being delivered by Rytle cargo bikes to the customer’s door.
The expected benefits of using this multimodal approach include reduced emissions and lower urban congestion. The trial was a Freight Innovation Cluster activity, sponsored by the UK’s Department for Transport.
Gareth Hughes, business services and ESG director at Whistl, commented, “One of the biggest challenges facing the logistics industry is the ability to move goods at distance sustainably and efficiently. We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to participate in this trial and look forward to exploring new initiatives to create a more sustainable supply chain.”