The Energy Saving Trust’s eCargo Bike Research Project will demonstrate how ecargo bikes can address both business needs and the climate emergency. We look at the organisations trialling an eCargo bike for 12 months in Scotland as part of the project

Eleven organisations are participating in the Energy Saving Trust’s eCargo Bike Research Project, funded by Transport Scotland.
    
The project, supported by the eBike Grant Fund, offers organisations in Scotland the opportunity to trial an ecargo bike for 12 months, free of charge. These trials will allow Transport Scotland and Energy Saving Trust to gather data and user experiences to inform the potential of ecargo bike use for addressing both business needs and the climate emergency.
    
The successful submissions to the project demonstrated a broad range of applications for the ecargo bike trials, such as last mile deliveries and short-distance staff journeys.
    
Edinburgh-based Farr Out Deliveries is a cargo bike courier delivery service, whose aim is to make cargo bike deliveries a key element of the city’s green future. Over 3,000 packages have been delivered on ecargo bikes in the three months since Farr Out Deliveries started up, illustrating how businesses and individuals can replace car and van delivery routes with an ebike.
    
The ecargo bike is well-suited to bulk delivery activities, as it has an increased load capacity, a weather-resistant place to secure the cargo, and allows a longer range of cycling.
    
Act Now was also successful in its application. The organisation runs several projects aimed at maintaining, enhancing and promoting the coastal and countryside environment in Argyll and the Isles.
    
Working in partnership with communities, public agencies and private organisations, they design and implement projects that encompass conservation, tourism, and health and wellbeing.
    
The trial ecargo bike will be used by cafes, local manufacturing businesses, nurseries and allotments throughout Argyll and Bute, and will reduce the need for staff, volunteers and members of the public to use their cars.
    
Jamie Joyce, project officer at Act Now, said: “The Act Now project is delighted to have been accepted by Energy Saving Trust as part of the eCargo Bike Research Project. We look forward to working with Mid Argyll organisations who can make full use of the ecargo bike as a real sustainable alternative to traditional car and van use.”
    
RSPB Scotland, a leading charity protecting nature in Scotland, is providing the eCargo bike to employees that are filming nature videos for social media. This presents the opportunity to complete a carbon neutral filming process while reducing the reliance on leased vehicles. The eCargo bike will be used to transport staff members and their equipment to various locations across Scotland.
    
The Climate Action Strathaven project will offer a community eCargo Bike opportunity for local independent retailers including bakers, butchers, and newsagents to provide a delivery service around Strathaven. The central shopping area, the Common Green, is currently overwhelmed with traffic due to new housing developments nearby. Currently, many locals will drive in and around Strathaven for shopping, therefore this delivery service will reduce the number of short journeys being carried out by car.
    
GalloGlas EcoClean are an eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning company that currently operates using electric vehicles – a Renault Twizy and a Nissan Acenta. The Urban Arrow eCargo bike will primarily be used to allow staff to carry their equipment to clients in and around
the town centre. Additional uses for the ecargo are planned such as offering clients the last mile delivery within the town, ensuring no emissions whilst delivering goods.
    
At Babcock International Group, the ecargo bike will replace a diesel van that currently averages 3,000 miles per year across 300 acres on-site. The primary users will be maintenance electricians and telecoms engineers, who will use the ecargo to carry tools and equipment securely.
    
Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “It is encouraging to see the breadth of applications supported by the eCargo Bike Research Project. The keen interest in the project and the oversubscriptions demonstrate how people are keen to move to more sustainable travel options. eCargo bikes are an attractive zero-emission transport solution that also help to reduce congestion on our roads.
    
“They offer many benefits, including significant fuel cost savings compared to a vehicle, increased activity levels for the rider, improved local air quality and no carbon emissions. Increasing ecargo bike usage will be a crucial part of Scotland’s transition to net zero.”
    
For fleets interested in purchasing an ecargo bike, Energy Saving Trust administers an interest-free loan so businesses and individuals can spread the upfront cost of the vehicle over four years.
    
Full details of the successful projects are available on Energy Saving Trust’s website

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