An adaptive fleet transformation framework applied to cargo bikes and light electric vehicles - experiences from a long-term trial in Germany

Abstract

The integration of light electric vehicles (LEV) and cargo bikes into company fleets is seen as a pivotal element for more sustainability on the last mile. The rising sales figures for cargo bikes and the dissemination in a wide range of economic sectors point to a market uptake in Germany, other European countries and some US cities. However, numerous examples show that the (trial) integration into commercial fleets is not necessarily permanent. Overall, a relatively high proportion of unsuccessful transformation attempts can be observed. Despite initial motivation for cargo bikes, companies revert to combustion vehicles, highlighting the complexity and inertia in fleet transformation and the need for extended adoption timelines. To overcome these shortcomings and develop an effective tool to advance fleet transformation, we designed a novel adaptive framework which involves piloting cargo bikes and LEVs over a long-term duration of 12 months, alongside several iterative exchange and consultation formats. To evaluate the transport-related, economic, ecological and social effects of vehicle integration in various usage scenarios, surveys and interviews were conducted with stakeholders in the company (e.g., management level and drivers) and the trip data of both the conventional vehicles used to date and the test vehicles were recorded. We applied our framework to around 45 companies from various sectors across Germany, featuring case studies from logistics, services, trade, retail, and the public sector, including a parcel service, facility management provider, craft business, food retailer, and municipal energy supplier. The findings of our novel methodological approach determine how acceptance barriers in the "downshift" to smaller vehicles in commercial mobility, can be identified, structured and dismantled. It provided types of similar fleet transformation experiences and a transferability of successful measures to other companies in the same sector or with similar vehicle usage patterns. With regard to small vehicle integration, three main adoption strategies were identified: expansion of the existing vehicle fleet, direct substitution of a conventional vehicle and prevention of the purchase of a new conventional vehicle (e.g. in the event of market expansion). Furthermore, successful fleet redesign in companies requires the most holistic approach possible with measures at technological, operational, cultural and political level. On a cultural level, this could manifest as differing approaches between progressive and conservative fleet decision-making. Establishing environmentally and economically viable use scenarios requires a significant development period for many companies, even motivated ones, to fully consider the various stakeholders and their needs. In conclusion, compared to earlier short-term studies, our innovative long-term trial framework offers both significant insights into the adoption of small vehicles and can itself be adapted to other fleet transformation processes.