Evri, the prominent parcel delivery company, is set to significantly enhance its sustainability initiatives by embracing “pedal power.”

Over the next year, Evri plans to expand its fleet from 33 to 99 e-cargo bikes and from 168 to 270 electric vehicles, as part of a £19m investment in eco-friendly delivery methods.

The company’s ambitious target is to have 3,000 electric cargo bikes operational within the next decade, a key component of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero status by 2035. This initiative aligns with Evri’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability across its delivery network.

Chief Executive Martijn De Lange remarked, “Pedal power will rev up our efforts to reimagine parcel deliveries in the UK as we aim to become the biggest operator of e-cargo bikes in the sector. We achieved a nine per cent decrease in carbon emissions since last year. The £19m investment announced today will lay the groundwork for Evri to dial up on its ambition to become the UK’s most sustainable parcel carrier.”

Currently, Evri delivers 1.5 million parcels annually via electric vehicles or e-cargo bikes in cities including London, Bristol, Oxford, and Cambridge. The company aims to triple this volume to around four million parcels within the next year. Each e-cargo bike, with a capacity of approximately 2,000 litres, is used for the “last mile” of urban deliveries, potentially saving emissions equivalent to driving over 400,000 miles as the fleet grows.

Pauline Potter, Director of Procurement and Sustainability at Evri, emphasised the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, stating, “Evri is committed to making a positive impact on the environment and delivering a sustainable future. Our multi-year ESG plans represent a significant leap forward, and we are confident that these initiatives will propel us towards our net-zero goal. We are not just investing in technology, but also in our people, empowering them to be part of the solution. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for the parcel delivery industry, as well as the communities we serve.”

This sustainability push comes amid speculation that Evri’s private equity owners, Advent International, are preparing for a significant £2bn sale of the company. Reports suggest that Advent International is collaborating with advisors from Rothschild to explore strategic options, which could result in a major deal for the parcel delivery giant.