Current urban logistics by trucks and vans is associated with CO2 emissions, air pollution and takes up scarce space. Possible reasons for the government to manage urban logistics are negative externalities and an uneven distribution of costs and benefits to society. The national government already takes on various roles as regulator and facilitator. In doing so, it chooses policy instruments, such as levying excise duties on fossil fuel.
Urban logistics can be executed with city hubs – transhipment points in or at the edge of the city centre. Logistics providers might use light electric freight vehicles (LEFVs) such as electric cargo bicycles and small electric vehicles. City hubs or urban logistics hubs (ULH) combined with LEFVs are often seen as a promising way to reduce the impact of urban logistics. Consolidation of goods can contribute to more efficient logistics. However, city hubs with LEFVs do not necessarily contribute more positively to societal goals, such as clean air and CO2 emissions, than electric vans. This is because the impact of using city hubs depends on the overall logistical execution, such as the type of vehicle, the location of the hub, and the type and quantity of goods transported.
City hubs with LEFVs only contribute positively to societal impacts in specific cases, such as in metropolitan areas. In addition, it appears difficult to operate hubs (with LEFVs) economically viable in practice. Due to the current regulatory policies and the limited positive societal benefits, we do not foresee an additional role for the national government in stimulating city hubs and LEFVs.
A full report is available in Dutch.