Best last-mile delivery: Mercedes-Benz Sustainer development and collaboration with Onmotion for cargo bikes.

With the evolution of the Sustainer technology demonstrator (Sustainability Pioneer), Mercedes Benz Vans once again gives an insight into how sustainability can look like in the delivery transport of the future. The fully electric vehicle based on the MercedesBenz eSprinter combines several innovative concepts to eliminate carbon throughout the vehicle’s life cycle, reduce resource consumption and increase the circular economy, as well as improve the quality of life and well-being of the driver. Sustainer’s design and technical solutions were designed with the possibility of series production in mind to enable its use in future generations of Mercedes-Benz Vans vehicles. All innovations are constantly evaluated, improved and integrated with new concepts.

Innovative equipment concept for a wide range of industrial sectors

With the further development of the Sustainer, Mercedes-Benz Vans now presents an efficient equipment concept for last-mile delivery with zero CO2 emissions. In collaboration with Berlin-based cargo bike manufacturer Onmotion, the company combines a fully electric car with an electric cargo bike to create a seamless supply chain. The eSprinter becomes a small mobile depot. Bring products pre-packaged in special containers for cargo bikes, which take care of delivery to your door. Moving goods with an ONO cargo bike takes only a few minutes. Therefore, the eSprinter does not have a long downtime and can continue to deliver goods immediately, to the next cargo bike and itself. Parallel delivery with cargo bikes and electric vehicles all increase efficiency and reduce delivery times in urban and rural areas. This innovative equipment concept is suitable for a wide range of industries: from express delivery and package services, to large bakeries, suppliers of work clothes and company clothes or food retailers.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and cargo bike tandem eliminate traffic infrastructure, reducing delivery and waiting times.

Shipments can be picked up at the logistics center depending on the delivery method and loaded into Onmotion containers with adjustable wheels. An all-electric vehicle then transports them to the drop-off point, where they are loaded onto an electric cargo bike. Special wheeled containers offer a loading volume of more than two cubic meters and a load of up to 200 kg. They can be easily configured for various applications, such as package delivery. The Mercedes Benz Sustainer has an integrated lifting arm customized for these instruments. The container lifter is hydraulically operated, has closed rollers and can be controlled electronically via a hand-held transmitter. This allows you to load and unload containers quickly, safely and easily. Two containers fit into the new eSprinter configured as a long car with a long roof. However, there is still enough space for the racking system to transport many other products. The rack system is accessible at any time (even when containers are loaded) through the right rear door.

Good last mile delivery

The fully electric vehicle stops at defined points on its route and transfers the container to the ONO e-bike. This happens in a few simple steps: just roll the container into the loading area of ​​the cargo bike and attach it. This means there is no need to reload individual packages. You don’t even need to rent temporary storage, because the eSprinter works like a mini-storage. It can continue its journey after a few minutes to deliver the next ONO cargo bike to another neighborhood or village or carry more products to their recipients. The eSprinter therefore has fewer delivery points and lateral downtime. This reduces traffic flow, reduces the burden on infrastructure and contributes to a new quality of life, especially in urban areas. In addition, the eSprinter returns to the equipment center quickly and can, for example, complete the second route more quickly. With smaller pre-fabs, CEP carriers can deliver more packages per day, shortening delivery and waiting times and thus reducing costs. Preliminary discussions with courier and parcel service providers have already begun to ensure that the individual needs of the sector are taken into account in further development.

ONO cargo bike benefits for last mile transportation

The driver of the ONO e-bike sits in a weatherproof cabin and can ride the bike lanes to any door without having to find a parking space. This speeds up delivery. Delivery workers also have to walk less. Since shipments are sorted by delivery method, there’s no need to search or reorder. ONO’s e-cargo bike has a range of up to 25 km and the 1.4 kWh battery provides support from up to 6 km/h. It can be changed in seconds. A replaceable battery on board doubles the freedom. Charging is possible through a standard earth hole. Additional benefits: A cargo bike does not require a driving license. This makes employment planning easier and facilitates the search for new employees. Additionally, a cargo bike requires very little space in traffic, which may lead to greater acceptance of delivery transportation, especially in cities.

Free body heating and local air conditioning greatly reduce energy requirements

With the Sustainer technology showcase, Mercedes-Benz Vans is bringing together many innovative concepts for the last-mile delivery transport of the future. Some of these are currently undergoing extensive testing with a view to possible series production. These include, for example, the combination of heat around the body and the climate of the region. A series of tests carried out in Mercedes Benz’s climate chamber in Sindelfingen have shown that this system significantly reduces the energy required to heat the large cockpit of the eSprinter. This has a positive effect on the range of electric vehicles. The test setup demonstrated the normal process of entering and exiting the transporter drive at different outdoor temperatures. During comparison, the same level of thermal comfort for the driver was guaranteed. Various parameters of physical well-being were measured in different parts of the body.

At -7 degrees Celsius, the body-heated zone air conditioner used about 25% less energy than conventional room air heating, providing comparable thermal comfort. At a temperature of +5 degrees Celsius, energy requirements were reduced by approximately 50%. The cabin also does not cool down quickly after the unloading station when the doors are opened and closed. The heating surfaces in the footwell, on the driver’s door and on the steering column remain warm. This increases comfort when entering the car. Acoustic comfort is also improved. Since only the area near the driver is warm and not the entire passenger compartment, the air conditioner fan can run at a low level. The pre-climate also cools or heats the car during charging if desired, so that the battery is fully charged at the start of the trip. This also has a positive effect on independence.

SUSTAINEER front module filter reduces particulate matter by 55%

Another promising Sustainer solution is a particle filter integrated into the front module. It was developed in collaboration with filtration specialist MANN+HUMMEL and designed to further reduce the ingress of particles caused by tire, brake and pavement wear. In a pilot project that lasted more than a year, the innovative filter proved its effectiveness in real operation. The Österreichische publication in Graz has applied this filter to two ESprinters in its group. Together, the two vehicles traveled about 36,500 km from August 2022 to November 2023. On average, each traveled about 50 km per day and delivered 160 packages at about 100 stops.

The front filter compensated the emission of particulate matter up to 10 micrometers (PM10) in the vicinity of the vehicle by 55% when the fan operated continuously while the vehicle was stationary, charging and at a speed of less than 35 km/h. The analysis showed that 35% of filtered PM10 emissions were direct vehicle emissions. Road abrasion and particles blown from the road accounted for 61% of the particles filtered. Efficiency in filtered environments increases further due to increased particle contamination. This means that larger amounts of particulate matter can be filtered in urban areas with poor air quality. The reliability of the filter system was confirmed by the pilot project and adverse effects on vehicles and delivery operations were not included. This project was scientifically supported by the Institute for Environment & Energy, Technology and Analysis eV (IUTA) in Duisburg.

Mercedes-Benz SUSTAINEER demonstrates the consistent implementation of the organization’s sustainability strategy

All the technical solutions and concepts installed in the Sustainer are designed with the aim of possible serial application in future Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These include a solar panel on the roof, accessories made from recycled materials and a booster seat for the driver. The continuous development of the technology indicator shows the consistent implementation of a sustainable business strategy. By 2039, the company has set itself the goal of making its entire fleet of new commercial and personal vehicles carbon neutral across the entire value chain and life cycle. The basic parameters to achieve this goal are the electrification of the car fleet, the large use of used equipment and the use of renewable energy in the production and payment of cars. Mercedes Benz Vans already offers a fully electric version of every commercial and personal vehicle. By 2030, these vehicles are expected to account for more than 50% of all sales. From 2022 the company’s production facilities are carbon neutral. Mercedes-Benz Vans aims to provide the most desirable vehicle and services, while aiming to be a leader in electric driving and digital experience.

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published on 04/19/2024