With the evolution of the SUSTAINEER (SUSTAINABILITY PIONEER) technology demonstrator, Mercedes‑Benz Vans is once again providing an insight into what sustainability could look like in the delivery transport of the future. The all-electric van based on the Mercedes‑Benz eSprinter combines a variety of innovative concepts for decarbonising the entire vehicle life cycle, reducing resource consumption, and increasing the circular economy, as well as improving the quality of life and well-being of the driver.
The innovations and technical solutions in the SUSTAINEER were designed with the possibility of series production in mind to enable their use in future Mercedes-Benz Vans vehicle generations.
With the further developed SUSTAINEER, Mercedes-Benz Vans is now presenting an efficient logistics concept for last-mile delivery with zero local CO₂-emissions. In cooperation with the Berlin-based cargo bike manufacturer ONOMOTION, the company is combining the all-electric van and the electric cargo bike to create a seamless supply chain.
The eSprinter becomes a mobile micro-depot. It brings pre-packaged goods in special containers to cargo bikes, which take care of delivery to the front door. Transferring the goods to the ONO e-cargo bike takes just a few minutes. As a result, the eSprinter does not have long idle times and can continue straight away – either to the next cargo bike or to deliver goods itself.
Parallel delivery with cargo bikes and all-electric vans increases efficiency and shortens delivery times in both urban and rural areas. The innovative logistics concept is suitable for a wide range of industries – from courier, express and parcel services to large bakeries, service providers for workwear and company textiles or food suppliers.
The consignments can be pre-picked in the logistics centre according to the delivery route and loaded into the interchangeable wheeled ONOMOTION containers. The all-electric van then transports them to the handover point, where they are loaded onto the e-cargo bike. The special wheeled containers offer a loading volume of more than two cubic metres and a payload of up to 200 kilograms. They can be flexibly configured for various applications, such as parcel delivery.
The Mercedes‑Benz SUSTAINEER presents an integrated lifting arm customised for these containers. The container lift works hydraulically, has recessed rollers, and can be controlled electronically via a hand-held transmitter. This allows the containers to be loaded and unloaded quickly, safely, and effortlessly. Two containers fit into the new eSprinter configured as a long panel van with a high roof. Nevertheless, there is still enough space for a shelving system to transport additional bulky goods. The shelving system can be accessed at any time (even when the containers are loaded) via the right-hand rear door.
The all-electric van stops at defined points along its route and transfers the containers to an ONO e-cargo bike. This is done in a few simple steps: simply roll the container onto the cargo bike’s loading area and couple it up. This means no time-consuming reloading of individual packages. There is also no need to hire a temporary storage facility, as the eSprinter acts as a micro-depot. It can continue its journey after a few minutes to deliver to the next ONO e-cargo bike in another neighbourhood or village or to take bulky goods to their recipients. The eSprinter therefore has significantly fewer delivery points and idle time at the kerb, known as curbside time. This reduces traffic flows, relieves the burden on infrastructure and contributes to a new quality of life – especially in urban areas.
The eSprinter also returns to the logistics centre faster and can, for example, complete a second route more quickly. By dispensing with micro-hubs, CEP service providers can deliver more parcels per day, shortening delivery and waiting times, and thus reduce costs. Initial dialogue with courier and parcel service providers has already begun to ensure that the individual needs of the industry are considered in further development.
The ONO e-cargo bike rider sits in a weatherproof cabin and can ride along cycle paths to any doorstep without having to look for a parking space. This speeds up delivery. The delivery staff also have to walk less. As the consignments are packed according to the delivery route, no searching or rearranging is necessary. The ONO e-cargo bike has a range of up to 25 kilometres and the 1.4 kWh battery offers pull-away assistance up to 6 km/h. It can be replaced in a matter of seconds. A replaceable battery on board effectively doubles the range. Charging is possible via a standard earthed socket.
Additional advantages: No driving licence is required for the cargo bike. This makes deployment planning more flexible and facilitates the search for new employees. In addition, the cargo bike requires significantly less space in traffic, which can lead to increased acceptance of delivery transport, especially in the city.
ONOMOTION is a European cargo bike manufacturer based in Berlin. The company’s goal is to improve the quality of life in cities by rethinking urban logistics. The company combines the topics of micro mobility, containerisation, and physical internet to make city logistics significantly more efficient and sustainable. The e-cargo bike, the ONO, is being used by customers in many German cities.
