DPD UK has taken delivery of the first 10 electrically-assisted cargo bikes – the result of a partnership with Oxford-based manufacturer EAV.
Five of the EAV bio-mechanical P1 hybrid pedal bikes are currently being tested on the streets of London, York and Newbury, while the other five are being shipped to DPD business units in Ireland, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France to help support British manufacturing and exporting abroad.
The purpose-built, quadracycle measures 2m long by 1m wide (6.5ft x 3.2ft), weighs 75kg (165 lb) and can carry a 120kg (265 lb) payload.
A 250W motor helps the rider accelerate to a maximum speed of 15mph (24km/h). The P1 can cover a range of up to 60 miles (97km) in a day and over 100 parcel stops and then be recharged using a 13A, 240V plug socket.
The bike’s body is made from advanced composites, which include the latest fully recyclable materials. For example, the fascia is made from a composite strengthened with hemp fibres stuck together with a resin based on the oil from cashew nut shells.
According to DPD, the EAV P1 is part of the company’s aim to be the most responsible city centre delivery company and a leader in EVs in the UK.
In October 2018, DPD opened the UK’s first all-electric parcel depot in Westminster and plans to have a fleet of 500 EVs by the end of 2020.
Dwain McDonald, DPD UK’s CEO, said: “The P1 is an entirely new type of vehicle and is designed specifically to meet the current challenges for delivery firms in the urban environment.
“The early trials show that the P1 is performing really well and clearly has potential to be more efficient for us than traditional vans in certain locations. It is highly manoeuvrable, can carry a good day’s worth of parcels and can often get closer to delivery addresses than the vans.”
Adam Barmby, founder and technical director at EAV, added: “The P1 is classed as an e-cargo bike, but really, we started from scratch and reimagined an entirely new type of vehicle to operate within the parameters of today’s urban delivery market.
“It is a modular design, so we can extend or shorten the chassis and change the cargo configuration to fit the brief. In addition to the design flexibility, there is also a whole new set of efficiencies that we are tapping into here.
Realistically, the P1 can move as fast or faster than a traditional van through many cities because of the different routing it can take.”
