Berlin-based Onomotion, a manufacturer of electric cargo bikes, has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz Vans to improve last mile sustainability by equipping an electric van technology demonstrator with a cargo bike container to develop a mobile micro hub which can deliver parcels of all sizes.
The EV demonstrator is Mercedes-Benz Vans’s SUSTAINEER concept vehicle, which is based on the electric eSprinter. As part of the new agreement, this vehicle will now be equipped with Onomotion’s cargo bike container to provide an efficient logistics concept for local CO2 emissions-free delivery over the last mile.
How it works
The logistics concept utilises the features of both electric vehicles – the SUSTAINEER eSprinter and Onomotion’s ONO cargo bike – to maximise efficiency. The eSprinter is loaded with the ONO container and with large or heavy parcels for the delivery route.
With a loading volume of two cubic meters and a payload of up to 200kg, Onomotion’s container offers an optimal solution for high parcel volumes. The container is loaded into the SUSTAINEER with the help of the vehicle’s integrated hydraulic lifting arm.
During delivery, the eSprinter stops at specified points to transfer the containers onto the ONO e-cargo bikes. Thanks to a quick reloading process, in which the container is simply rolled onto the back of the bike and coupled, the time-consuming reloading of individual parcels is eliminated from the delivery process.
The ONO e-cargo bikes then transport parcels quickly and efficiently to the recipients. In parallel, the eSprinter delivers larger parcels on its own or accepts returns.
Philipp Kahle, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Onomotion said: “The partnership with Mercedes-Benz Vans marks a meaningful step towards overcoming one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics industry: reducing emissions while delivering parcels efficiently.
“Concepts like these, which utilise different vehicle form factors that complement each other’s strengths, point the way toward the future of parcel delivery. We’re pleased to have Mercedes-Benz Vans as an innovation partner on our side to develop these possibilities further and bring them into series production,” he added.
The SUSTAINEER
With the technology demonstrator SUSTAINEER, Mercedes-Benz Vans is bringing together many innovative concepts for future delivery traffic over the last mile. All technical solutions and concepts installed in the SUSTAINEER are designed with possible series production in mind for use in future Mercedes-Benz vans. These include a solar panel on the roof, components made from recycled materials, and a mobilization seat for the driver.
The newest version of the SUSTAINEER also includes close-body heating and zonal air conditioning to save energy while improving comfort in the driver’s cabin, as well as a particulate filter integrated into the front module to reduce particulate matter emissions.
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz SUSTAINEER logistics concept can serve as a mobile micro-hub, eliminating the need for additional city hubs, which often result in high costs for parcel service providers.
The concept also reduces the number of delivery points and significantly reduces waiting times at the kerb. The e-van returns to the logistics centre faster, enabling CEP service providers to deliver more parcels per day.
