Topic

Clean fleets for logistics

In urban freight logistics, last-mile delivery—the final leg of the supply chain journey—accounts for around 50% of delivery-related CO₂ emissions in both Europe and India and about half of all global delivery costs. This segment includes the delivery and pickup of goods from imports, exports, retailers, and local production sites, all contributing significantly to urban congestion, air pollution, and noise.

To address these environmental impacts, many cities are establishing ambitious targets for zero-emission deliveries. These goals involve boosting demand for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and adopting cleaner fleet technologies to minimise the footprint of urban freight transport.


POLIS involvement

POLIS is at the forefront, collaborating with cities through the Urban Freight Working Group, where members share sustainable practices and enhance partnerships with logistics providers, and participating in projects like NextETRUCK and ESCALATE, both of which support zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) integration within city logistics.

  • NextETRUCK focuses on pioneering next-generation electric truck solutions designed for medium regional freight. By enhancing energy efficiency by 10% over current electric vehicles, it aligns with city goals to reduce emissions and traffic congestion through more efficient vehicle fleets. POLIS cities such as Barcelona play a vital role in demonstrating these ZEVs, contributing real-world insights for future market adoption.
  • In ESCALATE, POLIS is involved in the development of scalable, zero-emission solutions for heavy-duty vehicles, focusing on clean powertrain options that can travel up to 800 km without refuelling. By conducting pilot demonstrations on strategic European routes, ESCALATE supports POLIS’s commitment to decarbonizing freight while optimizing urban and regional logistics networks.


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