Posted on June 10, 2019 at 8:50 pm
It has never been a better time to ditch the van and switch to a cargobike. Here’s a quick round-up of the latest initiatives set up to encourage businesses and charities to making the switch to sustainable vehicles.
At national level, the Department for Transport launched a eCargo Bike Grant Fund, administered by the Energy Saving Trust. A £2m funding is now available to:
“limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Public, community or third sector organisations are also eligible providing they meet the eligibility criteria.
eCargo Bike Grant funding covers up to 20% of the total cost of an ecargo bike, up to a maximum of £1,000 per bike. To be eligible for funding, an ecargo bike must have minimum 125 litre cargo volume capacity and minimum 130 kg weight capacity (combined rider and cargo weight).“
UPDATE DEC 2019: Grant of up t £200,000 has been extended to Local Authorities. Read more.
ULEZ aims at tackling the air pollution crisis we experience in London. In practice, this means drivers of the most polluting vehicles entering central London will be liable to pay an additional daily charge. Alternatively they can upgrade their car or van.
Since the launch in April 2019, 9,400 fewer older vehicles entered London. NO2 concentrations have fallen by around 20% in the zone since 2017 when the scheme was first announced. A vast majority of vehicles were compliant with the new restriction indicating that the scheme is already working.
Cargo bikes are a great alternative for last mile deliveries and plenty of other uses. Do not hesitate to talk to us about your cargobike idea or project as we are always happy to assist and support businesses with making or adding a cargobike to their existing fleet. We also have cargobikes available to hire so you can try and see how it works for your business.
The zone is set to expand in 2021 to cover the North and South Circulars.
Find out more about ULEZ here.
To support its ULEZ initiative, the Mayor of London has also put in place a £23m funding. This aims at encouraging and supporting micro businesses, sole traders and charities to make the switch to electric vehicles, especially those who do not meet the ULEZ criteria. Cargobikes are eligible for this scheme.
An additional £25 m funding has also been set aside aimed more specifically at assisting Londoners on a lower income with making the switch to more sustainable transport.
The Zero Emissions Network is a partnership project between the London Boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets and it is supported by the Mayor of London. The aim is to assist businesses in these boroughs to make the switch as well as providing advice and support for creating a healthier and happier environment. They offer free cargobike trials. When you express an interest in trying a cargobike, they will put you in contact with a retailer that will arrange it for you.
ZEN also recently launched Scooter Switch which aims at assisting businesses and riders with the transition from mopeds to electric bikes. Delivery riders and small businesses currently using mopeds can apply for the £200 subsidy. Find out more and request a copy of the Scooter Switch Toolkit, free of charge by emailing ZEN.
Archway had its own ZEN project which now has been completed. They however continue their good work under the banner Healthy Streets for Business.
Announced in June, Hammersmith is to receive funding from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund to deliver the Hammersmith Zero Emissions Network.
Looking forward to speaking at this event all about cargobikes! We've helped 24 businesses switch to #cargobikes so far, so come along to hear their stories https://t.co/uAjdWm5oF8 pic.twitter.com/L6MsAiVi44
— Zero Emissions Network (@ZeroEmissionsN) June 11, 2019
The London Bridge Business Improvement District (BID) launched a program aimed at helping companies in the London Bridge area, to switch to sustainable deliveries with a subsidy up to £700 toward a new cargobike purchase.
They will help identifying which cargobike suits best the needs of a particular business. A study carried out by Team London Bridge identified that although 23% of London Bridge businesses use bikes for deliveries, 87% would like to use them more.
Find out more here.
In the capital, Transport for London set up a website aimed at providing information to anyone considering buying an e-bike, including cargobikes. Find out your nearest dealer, where you can hire a cargobike and what discounts are available there.
