UPS Deploys eBike (er … eTrike) Delivery Vehicle In Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Following closely on the deployment of an electric delivery bike in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), UPS has now officially launched a new “eBike” delivery vehicle in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) as well, according to a new press statement. (It’s actually an eTrike, but UPS apparently prefers calling it an eBike.)

The new UPS eBike delivery tricycle will be utilized for package delivery along Las Olas Boulevard, and in some surrounding areas in the city. The deployment functions as part of Fort Lauderdale’s Green Your Routine program and Vision Zero Fort Lauderdale program — which both involve, amongst other things, an effort to “create safer streets.” From the sounds of it, that seems to mean, at least partly, an aim to reduce heavy vehicle traffic (and air pollution) in major pedestrian areas.

“This is another example of how private and public sectors can work together to find sustainable solutions to meet the needs of today’s cities,” commented Scott Phillippi, UPS’s senior director of maintenance and engineering, international operations. “We have many vehicle options when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment including our Cycle Solutions that provide greater mobility and zero emissions.”

The press release provides some background on the company’s deployment of related vehicles in recent years: “The success of the eBike was first demonstrated in 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where UPS focused on developing a new and sustainable method of delivering goods to urban areas. UPS placed 4 containers at central locations in the city for interim storage of packages for UPS drivers. From these points, deliveries were made on foot or with specialized electrically-assisted cargo tricycles that ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions each working day. Due to the success of this pilot, the Hamburg program was extended.”

It’s this pilot that is being used as the blueprint for the new eBike deployments in Florida (and elsewhere as well).

The all-electric delivery tricycles in question allow delivery drivers to easily travel fairly long distances while carrying heavy loads without undue difficulty. The trikes can be safely operated either entirely in all-electric mode or entirely by pedal power — with max performance being the result of using both together.

The plan for Fort Lauderdale is that the eBike will be operating a fixed route year-round — weather permitting, that is.