Delft, The Netherlands
Throughout 2022, an Ikea Store in Delft, The Netherlands tested product delivery in the city centre via solar powered e-cargo bikes. This year-long pilot project (in tandem with another one in Vilnius, Lithuania) was deemed such a success that it is now being offered as a transport delivery option at any Ikea store who wants to embrace this green mode, internationally.
In a recent corporate release, Ikea’s Sustainability Manager Helene Davidsson stated,” The solar-powered cargo bike will be a valuable addition to last-mile service, as it offers a quiet, emission-free alternative that can also bypass traffic congestion.”
The SunRider Trike can carry 90% of Ikea’s goods. The SunRider is described as being “up to 100 per cent” solar charged with panels built into the rear cargo box. The solar panels provide an average of 65-70 % of the charge needed for daily deliveries and up to 100 % on sunny days, with a range of approximately 100 km, or 62 miles per charge. The SunRider cargo bicycle has a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery charged using the integrated 545Wp solar PV panels. The cargo compartment can fit 1 standard EU pallet and can carry up to 150 kg.
“We want to meet more people, and many of our future customers will live in cities with limited access to transportation,” she said. “This challenge provides a great opportunity to explore new ways of making our products available.”
In many cities in the E.U., Ikea has already been renting out e-cargo bikes to their customers who desire a more eco-friendly option to bring their products home, for several years.
“Klimatsmart! ” : Swedish for “climate clever” or “living in a way that is beneficial to the environment and climate”.