E-cargo cycles: Understanding consumer and operator perspectives on sustainable last mile delivery

Clayton, William; Paddeu, Daniela; Still, Mabel; Rivera Fernandez, Roberto

Abstract

E-cargo cycling has become popular as a sustainable mode for last mile deliveries in many cities in the UK and internationally. Despite the benefits of e-cargo deliveries (e.g., reduced emissions, efficiency in congested areas, lower maintenance costs), there are challenges to large-scale deployment, including: limited cargo capacity and range (negatively impacting on financial viability), inadequate cycling infrastructure, and workforce limitations. These barriers make e-cargo cycles a niche last-mile delivery option at the national level, while van deliveries are still the predominant mode. This is reflected in the research literature, which has grown recently, but still offers relatively few studies into e-cargo operations, especially with respect to business models, adoption barriers, and end-consumers’ perceptions.
This paper presents a mixed-methods study comprised of a questionnaire survey of 307 consumers, and interviews with nine experts from the e-cargo industry. We explored consumer perception of e-cargo deliveries, focussing on people’s understanding of these delivery services, and the value they ascribe them, both financial and more broadly in terms of the relative on-street impacts of e-cycle deliveries, compared to traditional vans.
We find that amongst consumers, perceptions of e-cargo deliveries are positive in terms of environmental impacts, and on-street presence. Most participants understood that e-cargo deliveries are more sustainable than traditional vans, and would prefer to see these in their local area. However, over two thirds of participants are not willing to pay more for e-cargo deliveries than traditional van deliveries. A key barrier to consumer uptake of e-cargo delivery is simply its availability as a choice: most often the mode of delivery is determined by the freight operator, not the consumer. Our analysis of consumer perceptions is contextualised by findings from the expert interviews, in which participants explain the potential of e-cargo deliveries, whilst setting out the financial and logistical challenges of scaling operations.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Universities' Transport Study Group Conference 2025
• Start Date: Jun 25, 2025
• End Date: Jun 27, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2025
• Publication Date: Jun 26, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 4, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14674966