Urban areas offer a high potential for sustainable commercial transport. A new funding campaign with a total budget of EUR 800,000 starting on 1 February 2020, is intended to accelerate the introduction of electric cargo bicycles in Vienna’s commercial transport.
“Electric cargo bikes are the modern answer to logistics issues and a climate-friendly, efficient solution for the last mile. The promotion is an important measure to reduce emissions of commercial traffic”, says Birgit Hebein, Vienna’s Vice Mayor responsible for transport and energy planning. According to the Smart City framework strategy, commercial traffic in the Austrian capital should become almost free of climate-damaging CO2 by 2030.
Electric cargo bicycles with a payload of 40 to 100 kilograms will receive a maximum of 50 percent of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of EUR 2,000 per electric cargo bicycle or electric cargo trailer. For large electric bicycles with a payload of 100 kilograms or more, the upper limit is 30 percent of the eligible costs or a maximum of EUR 4,000 per vehicle.
In addition, the City of Vienna will reward each conversion with EUR 500 per sale or recycling of a multi-track vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The aim is to involve companies from all districts of Vienna and to cover as wide a range of different businesses as possible. The first three funding commitments per district will receive a further bonus of EUR 500.
Some businesses in Vienna already use electric cargo bikes for their transport and delivery. The Samariterbund Wien is using 21 electric cargo bikes for the delivery of ‘meals on wheels’, which make an important contribution to environmental protection. “Employees who value sporting activities and sustainable commitment are thus not only travelling more ecologically than by car, but also often faster and always cheaper”, says Oliver Löhlein, Managing Director of the Samariterbund Wien.
www.energieplanung.wien.gv.at/foerderungen
