Evri: cargo bikes are now capable of offering a comparable alternative to traditional vans

Evri has recorded full uptime with zero servicing during a winter pilot of four-wheeled e-cargo bikes by Vok Bikes during the busiest period of the year for parcel delivery.

 Between November 2025 and January 2026, Evri’s couriers delivered approximately 14,000 parcels using Vok cargo bikes as part of a peak-season stress test. The fleet covered about 720 miles, averaging roughly 10 miles per vehicle per day.

Across the entire trial, the bikes required no servicing. Despite constant daily use, peak workloads, and winter exposure, the vehicles operated without downtime or any maintenance intervention, marking a significant milestone for operators evaluating a shift from vans to cargo bikes.

“This trial showed that cargo bikes are now capable of offering a comparable alternative to traditional vans in terms of reliability and vehicle load, while outperforming on productivity metrics,” said Luke Turnbull, eCargo Operations Manager at Evri.

“While vans remain better suited for higher mileage, there is a clear operational, environmental, social, and cost benefit to deploying e-cargo bikes on dense, ultra-urban routes.”

The trial also demonstrated clear operational gains. Evri reported a 15% increase in parcel drops per hour, enabled by improved route flexibility, use of bike and bus lanes, and reduced time spent parking or accessing delivery points.

As congestion intensifies in UK cities and the cost base of van-based delivery continues to rise, results like these point to a broader shift in last-mile logistics – moving cargo bikes from niche to mainstream.

A key factor behind the performance was Vok’s alternative drivetrain design. Traditional cargo bikes, particularly those with bicycle-derived drivetrains, typically require frequent maintenance and can lead to unexpected downtime due to wear on chains, gears, and other exposed components.

“Vok has taken a fundamentally different technological approach to support the growing role of cargo bikes in last-mile logistics. Our pedal-by-wire system with sealed electric components removes many common failure points – no chains, no exposed gearing, and no high-wear mechanical parts,” said Chris Cayford, Operations Manager at Vok Bikes London.