An alarming observation
In France, a third of greenhouse gas emissions are emitted by the transport sector (by this we mean the goods and people sectors combined). In fact, 88% ton kilometer* are carried out by truck.
Paradoxically, alternative modes of transport are still underused.
In fact, rail transport represents less than 10% and river transport 2.1% ton kilometers*. However, these modes of transport are more optimized, more environmentally friendly and less cumbersome in terms of traffic.
Alternative energies and ecological vehicles
When choosing a future transport partner, distributors are increasingly sensitive to the transporter's ability to offer vehicles with low CO2 emissions.
It must be said that manufacturers have adapted and that there are several types of energy and vehicles that meet the need to limit the carbon footprint. Here are the different energies that can be used by vehicles to reduce their carbon impact:
Electric
Car manufacturers are offering an increasingly wide range of electric utility vehicles.
Indeed, this was essential to meet the future regulatory requirements of ZFEs (low emission zones) which will multiply in the years to come.
We thus observe an increase in the market share of electrically motorized utility vehicles: in June 2020, the market share of electric light utility vehicles is 3.1% while it was 1.3% in 2019.
The autonomy of these vehicles is compatible with the average mileage of urban deliveries, particularly if the last mile delivery operators have logistics spaces close to the delivery areas.
Today, manufacturers offer a diversity of types of electric energy vehicles.
Gas (CNG) and Biogas
To date, around 26 million CNG vehicles are in circulation around the world; in France, only 18,000 vehicles use this fuel, mainly serving communities.
Nevertheless, CNG is becoming increasingly popular in road freight transport.
Indeed, CNG meets the necessary conditions for access to low-emission zones, gradually implemented in many French cities. This is therefore a relevant answer for the last mile delivery in urban areas.
The advantage of CNG over electric vehicles is its autonomy.
This is more intended for less dense areas and greater distances.
Cycle logistics
Two-carrier cargo bike, tricycle, k-ryole, bike taxi… this sector is booming and offers a real alternative to utility vehicles generally used for last mile deliveries.
The main advantages are the ease of execution of the delivery service in urban areas as well as respect for its commitment to the customer.
Indeed, thanks to the bicycle, delivery people free themselves from traffic jams and other traffic hazards. Easy and free parking makes them even more efficient in executing and delivering on the promise to the end customer.
The reluctance that previously existed for this mode of transport, and in particular the loading capacity, is gradually being lifted, thanks to motorized trailer solutions similar to the payload of a light utility vehicle (around 250 kg). Furthermore, a recent study carried out in London showed that cargo bikes were on average 1.61 times faster than an equivalent journey in a van**.
However, these choices and transformations can represent a certain investment and change management for transport companies and their teams.
They hope to quickly make these investments profitable by attracting brands looking for more virtuous transport partners.
On this last typology of vehicles: we distinguish different types of impacts: economic, social and environmental.
Economic impact
If we focus only on cyclo logistics, the cost of a bicycle is significantly less expensive than that of a utility vehicle as well as maintenance and repairs.
Enough to make you want to go green!
This is in contrast to electrically assisted vehicles, which are more expensive.
Social impact
Among the various negative externalities, we obviously include noise pollution linked to vehicles in urban areas.
The different alternative energy vehicles seen previously offer an opportunity to improve living conditions in urban areas.
For delivery people, this facilitates access to employment because it is not necessary for certain types of vehicles to have a license (bicycle, cargo bike, k-ryole), thus facilitating their access to employment.
Environmental impact
Obviously, these alternative vehicles have a significant impact on the environment, in particular the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
To make the last mile logistics efficient and less polluting, the prospects for innovation necessarily involve new energies, which will make it possible to deliver in an ecological manner and better comply with future regulations in city centers.
Delivery players and public authorities have a strategic role to play in the energy transition of logistics mobility.
Whoop in a few words
Woop makes it possible, thanks to its technological platform, to aggregate and orchestrate all of the delivery offers.
This makes it possible to optimize and consolidate tours and therefore reduce the CO2 impact for our partner brands.
In addition, Woop has integrated numerous carriers offering green and carbon-free delivery. Woop also supports numerous transport partners by offering them new digitalization tools (tracking & route optimization, etc.) providing them with end-to-end visibility into delivery execution, a real guarantee of satisfaction for their customers.
Woop offers local services focused on “last mile” delivery solutions. Our technological platform, unique on the market, aggregates and orchestrates, on a single interface, all the delivery offers from more than 150 partner carriers. Woop identifies different delivery scenarios for its retail customers based on predefined criteria – price, quality of service, carbon impact – allowing them to opt for the best offer at the best price, favoring soft mobility as soon as possible.
Woop trains with its customers and carrier network, a connected and efficient value chain offering consumers a delivery experience perfect, committed, effortless and positive for the planet.
*The tonne-kilometer is the unit of measurement corresponding to the transport of one tonne of goods (including packaging and tare of intermodal transport units) over a distance of one kilometer by any means of transport .We can distinguish between gross Tkm, including the tare of the transport vehicle, and net Tkm, which only includes the weight of the goods. Example: Transporting 3 tonnes of goods over a distance of 150 kilometers corresponds to a transport quantity of 3 x 150 = 450 t.km.
**Source The charity Possible demonstrated in its just released report, " The Promise of Low Carbon Freight (August 2021)
General sources: CSR Magazine / Star Service 1 / Star Service 2 / International Glossary
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