Meet the MT Awards shortlists - Urban Delivery Operator of the Year sponsored by MyTransportPlanner

CitySprint

Same-day courier CitySprint is reducing the impact of its operation on the environment by expanding its zero-emission fleet, forging strategic partnerships with industry leaders and utilising innovative technology to boost efficiency and sustainability.

In its green fleet, to enable the flexibility it needs as a same-day operation, City Sprint uses a variety of vehicles including pedal bikes, electric cargo bikes, electric vans and a hydrogen van. It is committed to trialling new, clean technology as it emerges.

The business has forged strong alliances with organisations aiming to reduce the impact of transport in urban areas, such as Go Ultra Low and TfL, as well as working in partnership with universities.

Areas explored through partnerships include micro consolidation potential and charging points.

Judges said: “City Sprint has taken great strides to reduces its impact on the environment and other challenges in the urban environment. It has trialled a range of technologies including EVs, a hydrogen van, and cargo cycles, and has properly evaluated its trials and quantified CO2 emissions cuts.”

DPD

Parcel firm DPD is redefining the way it operates within an urban environment to ensure its fleet of 8,000 delivery vehicles reduce their impact on air quality, noise levels and road safety.

With 46% of parcels now destined for city centres,

DPD’s Urban Delivery Strategy has seen the launch of a network of micro-depots with all-electric trunking, alongside a wider expansion of its electric fleet to 600 vehicles by the end of 2020.

The micro-depot operation has not only removed diesel vehicles from urban roads, but has also slashed unproductive mileage and halved ‘miles per parcel’.

A pioneering approach has seen DPD source electric Paxster micro vehicles from Norway, while at the same time developing an eCargo bike in partnership with UK start-up EAV. It has also been first in line to secure a 100-strong order of the new 3.5-tonne MAN eTGE.

It has also rolled out essential driver training for new electric technology, as well as supporting drivers to adopt home charging systems.

Judges said: “This was a very strong entry from DPD. A great use of technology and different operating models to protect the urban environment.”

Gnewt

Menzies Distribution subsidiary Gnewt operates a 120-strong fully electric delivery fleet.

It has pioneered sustainable last mile delivery services for a decade, to date delivering approximately 10 million parcels, reducing CO2 emissions by 67% per parcel. It has saved 687 tons of carbon and driven 1.1 million miles emission free.

Gnewt enables customers of all sizes to provide an emission-free last mile delivery using sophisticated route mapping and porterage deliveries to reduce congestion.

To further address urban congestion issues, Gnewt ensures to time deliveries for outside of key peak where possible and consolidates goods to reduce vehicle movements.

The business also has the largest private charging infrastructure in the UK and has developed a smart Vehicle to Grid (V2G) solution to help relieve power demands from the National Grid.

Gnewt has also been working on more aerodynamic van bodies to reduce drag and fuel consumption.

Judges said: “The Menzies fleet, via its acquired Gnewt business, is making great strides todays a cleaner future. A lot of effect must have been put into develop the UK’s largest privately-owned smart charging infrastructure & largest vehicle-to-grid electricity transfer capability.”

Martin Brower

Martin Brower (UK) exclusively manages the complete supply chain for all McDonald’s restaurants in the UK operating a multi-temperature distribution service.

The company has four DCs in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Heywood and carries out in excess of 250,000 deliveries per annum to approximately 1,300 McDonald’s restaurants.

To reduce its environmental impact, Martin Brower started its ‘OSCAR’ project (oil storage container assisting restaurants) 10 years ago.

This system allows McDonald’s restaurants to collect the cooking oil that has been used to cook the food in the restaurant, which is backhauled by Martin Brower’s trucks in a special tank under the chassis, to be recycled into biofuel for the entire fleet.

This, said the operator, achieves greenhouse gas savings versus mineral diesel of 88% for every litre of biodiesel used.

To improve vehicle safety, several systems have also been introduced into the fleet with urban deliveries prioritised to provide enhanced visibility for drivers and vehicle awareness systems for pedestrians and vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

Judges said: “Entry showed a clear demonstration of how important adaptation to the changing urban scene is.”