Shipping company UPS is already planning for an electric future in the air, but now attention is turning to the ground and an experiment using tiny, electric delivery quad bikes.
As Reuters reports, UPS has partnered with British engineering and design company Fernhay to trial the company’s zero-emission eQuad electric bikes. The trial will be carried out across several European countries as well as in the US and some Asian markets. Each eQuad has a range of 40 miles on a full charge, can carry up to 441 pounds of cargo at speeds of up to 15.5mph, and is small enough to use bike lanes or enter pedestrian zones.
UPS is looking to use the eQuads for last-mile delivery in dense urban areas where its larger delivery vehicles don’t make sense, or simply can’t reach certain locations. At the same time, the switch to EVs will reduce the company’s carbon footprint considerably.
Fernhay’s eQuad design includes lights, turning indicators, and a horn. A combination of a mechanical gearbox and pedals allow the driver to easily navigate very tight spaces. The eQuad seems to be a natural evolution of Fernhay’s cube containers from 2019, which were pulled by a bike.
