OREANDA-NEWS. UPS (NYSE:UPS) is testing an electrically supported cargo bike for the delivery and pickup of packages in downtown Basel, Switzerland. UPS is exploring the economic and ecological viability of this alternative mode of transportation for city-center delivery over a period of four weeks. The company already uses battery-aided cargo bikes in Hamburg, Germany (photo).

The battery-supported tricycle has a capacity of 1.5 cubic meters and can carry loads weighing up to 150 kilograms. Including the 250W battery, the cargo bike weighs 115 kilograms. Thanks to its compact design and width of just 1 meter, the bike is ideally suited for inner-city use.

“By using cargo bikes in a targeted manner, UPS aims to reduce inner

s it reduces the time spent on searching for a suitable parking position, saving valuable time.”

A public-private working group focusing on city logistics in Basel will study the insights gained from the trial.