Parcel logistics provider Hermes delivers emissions-free in Magdeburg

The Hamburg-based parcel logistics provider Hermes continues its commitment to making the Last Mile increasingly green. With the city center of Magdeburg, the next large area follows where Hermes delivers parcels completely emissions-free. More than 30,000 residents of Magdeburg benefit from this.

(Hamburg/Magdeburg) Just in time for Christmas, Hermes Germany has achieved a milestone in city logistics in Magdeburg: The areas of Stadtfeld Ost and Altstadt will now be served exclusively with emissions-free cargo bikes and e-transporters. More than 1,200 shipments are processed daily. This corresponds to a CO₂ saving of over 14 tons per year. A total of eight cargo bikes and two e-transporters¹ are deployed over an area of 10 square kilometers. Not only is the door-to-door delivery emissions-free, but the package shop tours are also conducted with zero emissions.

“Magdeburg is another important step for us in terms of sustainability,” explains Harald Schnetgöcke, General Area Manager of the East region at Hermes Germany. “From now on, we will deliver to more than 30,000 residents of Magdeburg in the city center emissions-free. Making the Last Mile increasingly green is an essential topic for us. Therefore, we have made every effort to implement this change within this year. I am proud that we have achieved this alongside the challenging Christmas business.”

Since the summer of this year, Hermes Germany has been delivering completely emissions-free in large parts of Berlin’s city center and has created a blueprint for sustainable city logistics in German cities with this concept. With Magdeburg, the parcel logistics provider fulfills its promise to expand this model to other city centers.

30,000 residents of Magdeburg and 12 package shops

The emissions-free area in Magdeburg extends from the Elbe in the east, Albert-Vater-Straße in the north, Westring to Sudenburger Wuhne in the south. In addition to the over 30,000 residents of Magdeburg, the 12 package shops in the region will also be served with zero emissions.

“All of this is made possible by a very well-located delivery base close to the city center,” explains Harald Schnetgöcke. “From here, the eight cargo bikes – six Cargobikes from ONOMOTION and two from citkar – can head directly out on delivery tours with very short distances. The larger shipment volumes going directly to the package shops are handled by the e-transporters.” The distribution center operates on 100% green electricity. This makes the entire delivery process for the Magdeburg city center completely emissions-free.

Significantly more flexible thanks to cargo bikes

The advantages of cargo bikes are clear: While congested streets often characterize the scene in German city centers and complicate parcel delivery, couriers using cargo bikes are significantly more flexible. They can easily use bike lanes and even stop directly in front of the door. The routes for couriers are minimized, and their daily work is greatly facilitated. The difficult search for parking is also a thing of the past. Cargo bikes can transport up to 120 shipments per tour. Due to the proximity to the distribution center, there is also the option to conduct a second delivery wave.

CO₂ savings of over 14 tons per year

The combination of e-vehicles and cargo bikes enables a CO₂ saving of over 14 tons per year in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. In the long term, Hermes will continue to promote green city logistics nationwide to deliver shipments emissions-free to recipients. After Berlin and Magdeburg, more cities will gradually follow.

¹ The collaboration between Daimler and Hermes is significantly supported by ZUKUNFT.DE (“Customer-friendly, sustainable, flexible, and transparent delivery traffic. Through emissions-free delivery”), a project implemented under the leadership of Hamburg (Project Management Office hySOLUTIONS) across the three federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, and Hesse to electrify parcel delivery on the so-called “Last Mile.” This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. The implementation of the underlying funding guidelines is coordinated by NOW National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

Photos: © Hermes