IKEA tests green delivery in Vilnius – world’s first solar-powered cargo bike hits the streets

Today, IKEA in Vilnius is starting to test the delivery of online orders to the home with a solar-powered freight bike. It is the world’s first cargo bicycle to deliver goods using clean solar energy. The store in Vilnius is the second IKEA store in the world to test this innovation.

The cargo solar bike is an environmentally friendly solution for home delivery of IKEA products. Compared to the usual means of delivery, a diesel truck reduces CO2 emissions by 95% and 65-70% compared to other electric bicycles on the market.

“Sustainability is one of IKEA’s most important operating principles and strategic directions, and we strive for it in all areas, from product development, responsible use of resources to operational operations. The desire to operate in the most environmentally friendly way possible determines the principles of our work, the choice of equipment, so the search for and implementation of green innovations for the delivery of the last mile was a natural step. Delivering orders by solar bicycle will not only contribute to a cleaner environment, but also be more flexible in the city center, accessible to even more people, ”says Edgaras Valentukevičius, Head of the IKEA Customer Supply Chain.

This warm season for a cargo solar bike is a test drive. This year, small orders fulfilled in the IKEA online store, weighing up to 30 kg per order, will be delivered in the center of Vilnius, up to 10 km from the IKEA store. It is planned that next year this innovative tool will be able to deliver 10 to 20 orders per day, and buyers will be able to choose their own delivery. This will give more flexibility and the opportunity for customers to contribute to a cleaner environment.

The bike has a cargo box the size of about one Euro pallet. The maximum weight that can be transported is 150 kg. It will be possible to deliver almost 60% in green. IKEA product range.

Self-charging devices are our future

The cargo sun bike was developed by the Dutch company Need The Globe, which named it SunRider. In Europe, it is one of the pioneers of companies in developing such solutions. Their vision is to create innovations that encourage as many people as possible to ride electric bicycles using clean energy.

“Electric vehicles have already achieved significant results in reducing global carbon emissions, but most of the electricity needed to charge their batteries is produced using fossil fuels, so CO2 is still emitted into the atmosphere. The uniqueness of this cargo bike is that it can be charged autonomously using clean solar energy. Solar batteries provide an average of 65-70%. The charge required for daily delivery is up to 100% on sunny days, ”says Chris van Houdt, one of the inventors of the cargo sun bike.

Cargo solar bike

He is convinced that the integration of solar panels into trucks, cars, bicycles and buildings will continue to be popular. In the future, there will be more and more vehicles and other objects whose batteries will be fully or at least partially charged with clean energy.

“Ensuring sustainable and cost-effective delivery services while meeting customer expectations is a challenge. Businesses are constantly looking for more efficient ways of logistics and delivery of goods. The cargo solar bike is a sustainable transportation solution that reduces fossil fuel consumption and takes another step towards the future of self-charging devices. In addition, this bike provides greater mobility and makes it easier to find a place to park in the city. The cargo sun bike is also much simpler to operate: it is not grid-dependent and does not require battery replacement, ”says Chris van Houdt.