The challenge
The £1 trillion last-mile delivery industry (including parcel, food and grocery couriers) is predicted to grow 10% annually, requiring new tailorable, scalable tech-based solutions that fulfil growing fleet needs. Also, at a time of courier shortages, suburban workers are largely unable to cover the long distance between their homes and the city centre by e-bike or moped. With regulatory requirements pressuring more last-mile delivery companies to switch to electric, operators needed to find a secure environment to both store and charge their vehicles.
Q-Park’s solution
Q-Park created an Urban Mobility Hub in their Leicester Square car park which is situated right in the heart of London close to many public transport links. Within this hub Q-Park worked closely with Port, the Hub operator and therefore their tenant, to install a charging infrastructure so that Port’s fleet could be stored in the safe and secure environment of the parking facility whilst being charged.
The mobility-as-a-service dark hub concept enables individual couriers or delivery firms to rent small delivery EVs (including electric bikes, cargo ebikes, mopeds or scooters) from the car park. EVs are hired on a weekly or monthly subscription through the Port app, and the vehicle, parking, charging, maintenance and software are all provided by Port.
Once the courier has picked the vehicle from the 24/7 hub, they undertake their deliveries before returning the EV to the hub at the end of their working day. The vehicle is locked, parked and charged overnight ready to be available the following day. The long range and battery capabilities of the EV means it can be used for an entire day without further charge.
The location in the City Centre is close to numerous bus stops and the nearby Underground Station sites on both the Northern and Piccadilly Line meaning access from the outskirts of London is easy. Building dark hubs in city centres activates a suburban workforce that is currently untapped by the last-mile delivery industry, these will enable them to commute into the city centre and pick up their fully charged vehicle for the day.
Outcome
Q-Park have created a scheme which is transferable to every city in the UK where they operate. The Mobility Hub allows logistics businesses to operate to the same standard that they currently do whilst also complying with the new Government regulations created to cut pollution and congestion in city centres. The added benefit of creating a hub which is easily accessible for all types of users has helped them counteract the current staff shortage in the industry.
To find out more about Q-Park's Sustainable Mobility Hubs click here
