Mercedes-Benz Vans and ONOMOTION Collaborate on Last Mile

ONOMOTION, a manufacturer of electric cargo bikes from Berlin, and Mercedes-Benz Vans are raising the efficiency of the last mile to a new level with the intelligent connection of cargo bikes and eSprinter. In collaboration, ONOMOTION and Mercedes-Benz Vans have further developed the technology carrier SUSTAINEER based on the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. With the cooperation between SUSTAINEER and the E-Cargobike ONO, Mercedes-Benz Vans and ONOMOTION present an efficient logistics concept for locally CO2-emission-free delivery on the last mile.

(bERLIN/sTUTTGART) The SUSTAINEER equipped with this technology functions as a mobile micro-hub, transferring and exchanging pre-commissioned containers from ONOMOTION to ONO E-Cargobikes. The rapid unloading and loading of the containers allow both the fully electric vans and the E-Cargobikes to deliver goods in parallel and meet dynamically. This significantly shortens delivery times while also contributing to the reduction of local CO2 emissions in parcel transport.

The mobile meeting optimizes last mile delivery

The logistics concept utilizes the respective characteristics of both electric vehicles to maximize efficiency. At the logistics center, the eSprinter is loaded for the delivery route with large or heavy packages and with the container for the cargo bike. The containers from ONOMOTION offer an optimal solution for large package volumes with a loading capacity of two cubic meters and a payload of up to 200 kilograms. These are loaded into the SUSTAINEER using the vehicle’s integrated hydraulic lifting arm. By combining the cargo bike and eSprinter, packages of different structures can be delivered in parallel without losing time.
During the journey, the eSprinter stops at selected locations to hand over the container to the ONO e-cargo bike. Thanks to a quick transfer process, where the container is simply rolled onto the back of the bike and connected, the time-consuming unloading of individual packages in the delivery process is eliminated. The ONO e-Cargobike then transports the packages swiftly and efficiently to the recipients. The eSprinter independently delivers larger packages or accepts returns in parallel.
Philipp Kahle, Co-CEO and co-founder of ONOMOTION, led this project on behalf of ONOMOTION: “The partnership with Mercedes-Benz Vans marks a significant advancement in addressing one of the biggest challenges in the logistics industry: reducing emissions while ensuring efficient parcel delivery. Concepts like this, which rely on different vehicle form factors and complement each other, pave the way for the future of parcel delivery. We are excited to have Mercedes-Benz Vans as an innovation partner by our side to further develop and bring these possibilities to series production together.”
Sustainability in all facets
The technology carrier SUSTAINEER from Mercedes-Benz Vans based on the eSprinter combines numerous innovative concepts for the future of delivery traffic on the last mile. All technological solutions and concepts integrated into the SUSTAINEER are designed to potentially be produced for use in future Mercedes-Benz vans in series. These include, among other things, a solar panel on the roof, components made from recycled materials, and a mobilization seat for the driver. The latest version of the SUSTAINEER additionally includes a close-to-body heating system and zonal air conditioning, which save energy while improving comfort in the driver’s cabin, as well as a fine dust filter integrated into the front module to reduce fine dust emissions.

Significant cost savings as well as shorter delivery and waiting times

In addition to the environmental benefits, it has been shown that mixed fleets of e-cargo bikes and e-vans have the potential to significantly reduce operating costs for large courier, express, and parcel service providers (KEP). According to a recent study by EIT InnoEnergy, one of ONOMOTION’s investors, large logistics companies could save up to EUR 156 million today and up to EUR 554 million by 2030 through the combined use of e-cargo bikes and e-vans, compared to a purely electric van fleet. These savings are achieved despite additional expenses for delivery personnel and micro-fulfillment centers.
Photos: © Mercedes-Benz Group AG / Image caption title image (l. to r.): The project team) Ralph Wagenknecht (Mercedes-Benz Vans), Philipp Kahle (ONOMOTION GmbH), Matthias Nikolaus (Gerd Bär GmbH), Onno Wilken (Mercedes-Benz Vans), Steffen Nees (Mercedes-Benz Vans), Filip Gubala (Mercedes-Benz Vans)