Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-11 Origin: Site
The boom in online shopping has transformed our cities. More parcels, more vans, more congestion. For logistics providers, this means one thing: the last mile is becoming the hardest mile. Vans and trucks are struggling with traffic, scarce parking, and strict emission zones.
Enter the electric cargo bike: a smaller, smarter, and greener alternative that's quietly revolutionizing urban logistics. But can it really replace vans? Let's look at the numbers.
One of the biggest myths is that vans are faster. In reality, urban traffic often slows them down.
University of Westminster study: Cargo e-bikes completed up to 50% more stops per hour than vans in central London.
Belgium Cycle Logistics Federation (2025):
Cargo e-bikes averaged 18.85 deliveries/hour, compared to 14.77 for vans → 28% more efficient.
In dense urban areas, cargo e-bikes were up to 75% faster than vans.
Vans needed 4.2 minutes per stop, while cargo e-bikes managed it in just 2.4 minutes.
In practice: one cargo bike can often replace one or even two vans for last-mile delivery. Beyond speed, this also means more predictable schedules, less idle time, and happier customers—a critical advantage in e-commerce where reliability is everything.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) is where cargo bikes shine.
Cost Factor (5 years) | Cargo E-bike | Diesel Van | Electric Van |
Acquisition | €12k–15k | €40k | €55k |
Energy (fuel/electricity) | €500 | €12,000 | €6,000 |
Maintenance | €1,500 | €8,000 | €5,000 |
Insurance | €1,000 | €6,000 | €6,000 |
Parking fees | €0 | €7,500 | €7,500 |
Total (5 years) | €15k–18k | €73.5k | €79.5k |
A diesel van burns €12–15 in fuel per 100 km.
A cargo e-bike? Just €0.50 per 100 km in electricity → a 90% saving.
Maintenance is also 40% cheaper thanks to fewer moving parts.
For businesses, that means tens of thousands saved over the vehicle's lifetime. When scaled across fleets of 20, 50, or even 100 vehicles, the financial case becomes overwhelming.
Cities across Europe are restricting vans and rewarding low-emission solutions.
Cargo e-bike: Zero emissions, no noise, no pollutants.
Diesel van: 160–200g CO₂ per km + nitrogen oxides + particulate matter.
Electric van: 40–60g CO₂ per km (depending on the electricity mix).
With subsidies of up to 30% of purchase cost in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, switching to cargo bikes is not just green—it's financially smart. And for companies with ESG commitments, they also strengthen brand reputation and consumer trust.
Here's the sticking point: vans carry more. But do businesses always need that much capacity?
Vehicle Type | Payload | Best Use Case |
Cargo e-bike | 150–400 kg | Parcels, food, pharmacy, last-mile deliveries |
Diesel van | 800–1,200 kg | Bulky & heavy loads |
Electric van | 700–1,000 kg | Larger-volume deliveries |
For most urban last-mile operations, a 200–400 kg capacity is more than enough. That's where next-generation cargo bikes come in.
At Luxmea, we've designed cargo bikes specifically to break the myths around heavy loads and poor maneuverability.
Luxmea T350 → Carries 200 kg, range up to 80 km. Perfect for florists, cafés, and small couriers.
Luxmea T650 → Handles 400 kg, range up to 120 km. Designed for logistics fleets scaling up urban delivery.
Chainless hybrid drive → Eliminates messy chains, cuts maintenance costs, and improves reliability.
Four-wheel chassis options → Provide extra stability for heavier loads without losing maneuverability.
By combining powerful LFP batteries, robust motors, and chainless technology, Luxmea helps businesses stay ahead of rising fuel prices, stricter emission rules, and customer expectations. Fleets benefit not only from lower TCO, but also from operational resilience—fewer breakdowns, easier scaling, and smoother integration with digital route planning tools.
The numbers don't lie:
Cargo bikes are faster in cities.
They cost far less to run.
They meet green policies and open new business opportunities.
Vans will still have their place for long distances and heavy-duty loads. But for last-mile logistics, electric cargo bikes are already outperforming them—and they're here to stay.
At Luxmea, we believe the future of delivery is not about bigger vehicles, but smarter, cleaner, and more efficient ones.
Ready to explore how cargo bikes can transform your fleet? Learn more about Luxmea's solutions here.
Q1: Can electric cargo bikes really replace vans for last-mile delivery?
A: Yes—especially in dense urban areas. Studies show cargo e-bikes can complete 20–50% more deliveries per hour compared to vans. With payloads of 200–400 kg, next-generation cargo bikes are sufficient for parcels, groceries, food, and pharma deliveries.
Q2: Can chainless cargo bikes handle heavy loads?
A: Yes. Models like the Luxmea T350 and T650 are designed for urban logistics. The T350 supports up to 200 kg, while the T650 handles 400 kg, making them perfect for businesses with high-capacity delivery needs.
