As the push to reduce emissions continues, consumers are becoming more vocal about their preferences for sustainable delivery options. Here's a quick look at how countries are responding to this demand:
United Kingdom
- Consumer Behaviour: 25% of UK shoppers would switch retailers if sustainable delivery isn't offered. 27% are willing to pay more for eco-friendly delivery.
- Electric Vehicles: The share of new electric vans in the UK is expected to rise from 6% in 2023 to 34% by 2027, reaching 74% of the entire fleet by 2040.
- Cargo Bikes: In London, 7,000 cargo bikes are used for parcel delivery, with plans to replace 17% of van kilometres in central London by 2030.
USA
- Consumer Behaviour: 60% of U.S. consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable delivery options.
- Electric Vehicles: Amazon has deployed 10,000 electric vans, but its delivery emissions have risen by 75% since 2019, mainly due to increased air freight.
- Cargo Bikes: E-cargo bikes complete deliveries up to 60% faster than vans, with emissions 33-90% lower.
China
- Consumer Behaviour: Consumers in China increasingly demand faster and more efficient deliveries, driving investments in electric and autonomous solutions.
- Electric Vehicles: Over 100,000 electric trucks are already in operation, with battery-swapping technology becoming widespread.
- Autonomous Delivery: The market for robots, drones and self-driving vehicles is expected to grow significantly, reaching USD 15.98 billion by 2032.
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark)
- Consumer Behaviour: Scandinavian consumers are some of the most environmentally conscious, with a strong preference for sustainable delivery methods.
- Electric Vehicles: Norway is leading with nearly 90% of new passenger car sales being electric in 2024. Denmark aims to have fully electric delivery fleets.
- Innovative Delivery: Sweden's Oceanbird project is developing wind-powered cargo vessels, reducing emissions by up to 90%.
Germany
- Consumer Behaviour: As eCommerce grows, consumers are demanding greener delivery solutions.
- Electric Vehicles: 2,400 new electric vans from Ford Pro are enhancing the fleet in Germany's parcel sector.
- Cargo Bikes: Cities like Berlin and Hamburg are adopting electric cargo bikes for both commercial and personal use.
Netherlands
- Consumer Behaviour: Consumers increasingly demand sustainable shipping, with cities like Amsterdam banning combustion-engine vans in the city centre.
- Electric Vehicles: Amsterdam leads with zero-emission zones for delivery vehicles.
Australia
- Consumer Behaviour: 60% of Australian consumers prefer carbon-neutral delivery options, but only 12.4% of retailers offer green delivery choices.
- Electric Vehicles: EV adoption in Australia is growing, with the government investing $22.7 billion in sustainability through the "Future Made in Australia" agenda.
France
- Consumer Behaviour: 60% of shoppers are willing to delay delivery for environmental benefit and 55% choose retailers with green credentials. 67% favour reusable packaging; 47% recyclable materials and 48% avoid overpackaging
- Legislation: France's Anti-Waste Law targets 100% recycling of plastic packaging by 2025, with a full phase-out of single-use plastics set for 2040.
Ireland
- Consumer Behaviour: 68% of Irish consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, typically up to 19.9% extra, with Gen Z even more prepared to pay a premium.
- Cargo Bikes and Electric Vehicles: In Belfast, Amazon introduced an e-cargo bike fleet delivering thousands of parcels weekly via a new micromobility hub, part of a broader push including over 1,000 electric delivery vans and 9 electric HGVs.