Warwick electric delivery vehicle trial could spell new future for home deliveries

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is set to trial its new electric delivery vehicle fleet, designed to reduce carbon emissions, across the University campus. 

WMG has collaborated with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to innovate a petrol-free alternative delivery vehicle that aims to replace petrol and diesel vans in the future.

The trials are running as part of the Last Mile Logistics Project, a collaboration between WMG and TfWM, which aims to accelerate innovation within the West Midlands.

A small fleet of low speed delivery vehicles will be tested on campus, rather than the entire fleet of larger vehicles.

It is hoped that the trial […] will provide invaluable data to hasten the roll-out of the delivery vehicles across the UK

This comes after concerns about the safety risks posed by the testing the larger vehicles around the University.

It is hoped that the trial, however, will provide invaluable data to hasten the roll-out of the delivery vehicles across the UK.

Researchers from WMG have been collaborating with the Department for Transport to develop various types of delivery vehicles that can be used on UK roads and bike lanes, with an aim to diversify their existing trial fleet.

During the trial period, WMG will also work with local automotive manufacturers to gain assistance for the project, and to create new jobs locally.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker welcomed the trial, saying: “Now, in the 21st century, we’re stepping up to tackle modern-day challenges. With online shopping booming, the delivery sector is playing an ever-increasing role in our regional economy, generating much-needed jobs for local people.”

Economically, tens of thousands could be rolled out, all designed, engineered and built in the UK with a full supply chain behind them

Mark Urbanowski, Principal Engineer for Micromobility at WMG

He further elaborated on how he aims to work with the government during the trial. Parker said: “The government is backing my plan to invest in top talent and tech so we can reduce our carbon emissions and get everyone to net zero while creating jobs. That’s how I’m going to build cleaner communities and a stronger, more prosperous economy.”

Mark Urbanowski, Principal Engineer for Micromobility at WMG, also welcomed the trials of this first-of-a-kind technology, commenting: “We couldn’t run these trials without Innovation Accelerator funding. These vehicles aren’t legal on UK roads yet so they’re not available to buy.”

He added: “Economically, tens of thousands could be rolled out, all designed, engineered and built in the UK with a full supply chain behind them.”

One first-year Maths student shared their reservations about the project, however. While they told The Boar that they “believe this has a lot of potential”, they also added: “I’m not sure if this will be able to carry as much weight as vans do on a daily basis.”