Delivery company Zedify has released its annual Impact Report measuring the company’s effects on people, cities and the planet.
The report shows that by prioritising cargo bikes, Zedify’s services prevented 278 tonnes of CO2 in 2022.
The calculations include CO2 intensity from the UK power grid which is used to charge the company’s fleet. For the first time, it also takes into account the embodied carbon from the materials. Each cargo bike saves the equivalent of 97% on CO2 emissions compared to diesel vans, and a 96% saving compared to electric vans.
“It’s striking to see how much better for the environment cargo bikes are compared to electric vans once you consider emissions across the full life cycle,” Zedify’s Co Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer Sam Keam told Zag Daily.
“Alongside their efficiency in navigating congested cities, this is why we placed them at the top of our hierarchy and used them for 86% of all of our deliveries last year.”
Electric vans, which represent 4.2% of Zedify’s fleet, completed the remaining 14% of deliveries. These vehicles are sometimes necessary depending on object size and efficiency of certain distances.
The potential
Replacing 7.5% of Britain’s diesel van fleet with cargo bikes would prevent more emissions than if all domestic aviation ceased, according to the report.
The study also reveals that 91% of deliveries in cities could be made by cargo bikes.
Zedify is working hard to progress its circular economy projects as it continues to expand, acknowledging that its mission to make cities better means developing partnerships at every level.
“We’re really proud to be delivering for some truly pioneering movers and shakers, such as Valpak, Smarter Uniforms, and CLUBZERO, who share in our ambition to make our urban spaces healthier and more equitable.”
The company is now looking to expand its operations across the UK having recently raised £5 million of funding.
