IKEA trialling solar powered e-cargo-bike

• 4 July 2022
• Transport / Logistics Services

Home furnishings retail chain IKEA is trialling a solar powered e-cargo-bike in Vilnius, Lithuania. The chain says that the solar powered bike is the world’s first such machine used to deliver goods using solar energy.

According to IKEA, the machine produces 95% less CO2e emissions than a diesel van, and is 65-70% more climate friendly than other e-cargo-bikes on the market.

“Sustainability is one of IKEA’s most important operating principles and strategic directions, and we strive for it in all areas, from product development, responsible use of resources to operational operations. The desire to operate in the most environmentally friendly way possible determines the principles of our work, the choice of equipment, so the search for and implementation of green innovations for the delivery of the last mile was a natural step. Delivering orders by solar bicycle will not only contribute to a cleaner environment, but also be more flexible in the city center, accessible to even more people,” says Edgaras Valentukevičius, Head of the IKEA Customer Supply Chain.

Consignments of up to 30kg per customer will be delivered by the solar powered e-cargo-bike to addresses up to 10km from the Vilnius store. IKEA hopes that the vehicle will deliver up to 20 orders per day, with its maximum payload of 150kg.