The city of London is experiencing a major boom in electromobility, specifically in the parcel and delivery sector. A few weeks ago, Amazon announced a major micromobility project, and now it is the manufacturer Ford who is proposing a project in an emblematic market in the British capital.
Through its Ford Pro solution, the brand teamed up with the City of London Corporation and DHL Supply Chain to conduct a sustainable delivery trial in the historic Billingsgate, the UK’s largest inland fish market, to explore ways to reduce traffic, improve air quality and offer a better customer experience.
The Ford Pro service unifies everything the user needs in terms of mobility in one space, and has a focus on making the operation of commercial vehicles as smooth and easy as possible.
The service covers everything from choosing the right models for fleets, to intelligent software for management, vehicle maintenance or financial services through an interconnected system.
Plan Focus
With pilot tests underway, dealers save time and money by pooling deliveries using a shared fleet of connected Ford Pro vehicles, including an all-electric Ford E-Transit.
Between March and August, 40 Billingsgate business owners are taking part in the trial, which focuses on deliveries from the market to business customers in the capital, including some of London’s most prestigious establishments.
Many traders use vans to make these deliveries, but for much of the day these commercial vehicles are not in use. The City Corporation identified an opportunity to merge some of these trips, which avoids duplicating journeys and requires fewer vans.
The tests, funded by the City Corporation, which owns and manages the Billingsgate market, are being conducted with DHL Supply Chain and Ford Pro vehicles, software and technical support.
Encouraging Data
Since the scheme began, there has been an estimated 37% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to business as usual, with 949 fewer journeys on the congested roads of central London, resulting in 23,961 fewer kilometers being driven. This has also helped to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the participating companies.
This trial is part of the City Corporation’s aim to reduce the environmental impact of its wholesale markets through innovation, including the planned move of Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields markets to Dagenham Dock. An electric vehicle charging point has been installed in the market parking lot.
