The future of urban logistics: emission-free and space-saving

The trend toward urbanization and megacities has intensified over the past twenty years. A study by the data service provider Statista, for example, concludes that urban areas will become ever larger and denser in population density. The share of the urban population in the global total population increased from 29.6 percent in 1950 to 54.1 percent in 2015. The study predicts that the urban population will grow to 67.4 percent by 2050.

The problem with urbanization sounds banal: Many workers and consumers are concentrated in small spaces. As a result, more and more cities are complaining about high levels of pollution and increasingly pointing to motorized traffic. This is eroding air quality on urban streets and limiting available space through traffic and parking. Driving bans in inner cities are intended to solve the emissions problem. According to a survey by the Federal Office for the Environment, road traffic was the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Switzerland in 2024, accounting for 34 percent.

The accusation of a loss of space in cities cannot be dismissed, as the vehicle population is growing. Over the past ten years, the fleet operating in Switzerland has grown by almost 10 percent to around 4.8 million private vehicles. At the same time, the availability of parking spaces on the outskirts of cities with public transport connections to the city center is still limited. Driving into the city center is becoming increasingly less attractive due to traffic calming measures such as fewer lanes and 30 km/h speed limits. However, for some car journeys in urban areas, there are hardly any alternatives. Consider, for example, ride-hailing services and taxis.

When it comes to calls for car-free cities, delivery logistics are often overlooked. Consumers want to shop at their favorite stores. But how should the goods get to the product displays and shelves so that attractive prices can be maintained?

The management consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers has studied the logistics needs of cities. It predicts that freight transport performance by rail and road could increase by 30 percent by 2050 compared to 2017, either due to population growth or increased e-commerce offerings.

Most major retailers are sticking with large diesel trucks with loading platforms for deliveries to stores in the shopping district. Some are switching to electric trucks, but there is still considerable reluctance, as electric commercial vehicles, often more expensive than combustion engines, create new demand for charging stations for the traction batteries. According to the Road Transport Association (Strasse-Schweiz), as of the third quarter of 2024, of the approximately 440,000 delivery vans in Switzerland, only 2.5 percent were electric and hybrid vehicles. Of the approximately 55,000 trucks and semi-trailers in Switzerland, the share of rechargeable vehicles is even lower, at around 1,000, or 1.8 percent.

However, the Swiss vehicle importers' association Auto-Schweiz sees a trend toward electrification in the commercial vehicle sector in terms of new registrations, noting that almost one in ten new trucks has a fully electric drive. Auto-Schweiz Director Thomas Rücker is optimistic: "Especially in light of the initial introduction of _CO2 targets for new trucks starting in 2025, increasing registrations of e-trucks are good news."

However, Rücker complains that the framework conditions for the increasing electrification of transport companies' fleets are still inadequate. There is a lack of adequate fast-charging infrastructure. "And the uncertainty about how the exemption from the performance-based heavy goods vehicle tax for electric vehicles will continue after 2030 is currently causing many logistics companies to hesitate."

But a rethink also appears to be imminent in the coming years for commercial vehicles. A new study by technology analysts IDTechEx predicts enormous global growth in light electric commercial vehicles over the next twenty years. From less than half a million light electric delivery vans in 2024, the number is expected to grow to 11 million vehicles by 2045.

The supply of locally emission-free commercial vehicles for more environmentally friendly delivery logistics is still limited, especially in the light commercial vehicle sector. Established and new vehicle manufacturers are now aiming to change this – with innovative delivery vehicles with zero emissions and a smaller footprint.

In recent weeks, French automaker Renault has presented a series of solutions for emission-free and space-saving delivery logistics in cities. The truck division launched an online platform called "The Good City" a few weeks ago. In an ideal urban world, the French company aims to fully electrify commercial transport and is presenting its ideas for emission-free freight delivery and sustainable waste disposal in cities.

Meanwhile, Renault's passenger car division has unveiled a range of fully electric light commercial vehicles. A platform designed as an electric skateboard serves as the basis for three vans called Trafic, Estafette, and Goelette. They are designed to be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes using 800-volt charging technology. With affordable prices and electric ranges of 350 to 450 kilometers, the new vehicles are designed to meet a variety of transportation needs and are prepared for bidirectional charging. The Estafette, in particular, is intended as a "master of the last mile" and is reminiscent of delivery vans used by various parcel service providers.

The Korean Hyundai automaker also unveiled innovative battery-powered light commercial vehicles in the fall of 2024. The PV5 and PV7 models can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes and are also suitable as refrigerated vans for frozen food. The new Kia commercial vehicles also feature a new platform for variable vehicle construction, allowing modular adaptability depending on the application. Kia promises the two vans to offer the highest level of versatility and the greatest technical advancement in the light commercial vehicle market. They are scheduled to be launched in the summer of 2025.

At the beginning of 2025, Japanese automaker Suzuki presented its concept for light electric commercial vehicles at the CES technology trade fair in Las Vegas. Under the motto "Impact of the Small," the manufacturer aims to demonstrate that small commercial vehicles can bring about major changes in urban mobility—and do so electrically. The basis is a compact, skateboard-like vehicle that can accommodate various vehicle bodies. However, Suzuki has not yet disclosed technical details regarding the drive system, range, and charging speeds.

Zurich-based mobility pioneer Frank M. Rinderknecht predicted the trend toward emission-free urban goods transport on small traffic areas years ago. His modular delivery system, "Rinspeed City Snap," envisions decentralized goods distribution for consumers using containers with parcel stations in residential areas. Customers pick up their goods there. This wouldn't be the first time that a Rinspeed idea has been brought to market maturity and implemented by well-capitalized companies.