E-cargo bikes are going on trial with 11 organisations including RSPB Scotland and Babcock International Group to assess how they can be used to replace cars and vans.

The trials are being run by the Energy Saving Trust and Transport Scotland to explore the potential of e-cargo bike use for addressing both business needs and the climate emergency

The businesses will put e-cargo bikes to test for a wide range of applications, supported by the eBike Grant Fund, which offers organisations in Scotland the opportunity to trial an e-cargo bike for 12 months, free of charge.

The trials are being run by the Energy Saving Trust and Transport Scotland to explore the potential of e-cargo bike use for addressing both business needs and the climate emergency.

Successful submissions to the project include Edinburgh-based Farr Out Deliveries, a cargo bike courier delivery service, whose aim is to make cargo bike deliveries a key element of the city’s green future.

Act Now is also deploying a trial e-cargo bike. The organisation runs several projects aimed at maintaining, enhancing and promoting the coastal and countryside environment in Argyll and the Isles and the bike will be used by cafes, local manufacturing businesses, nurseries and allotments, reducing the need for staff to use their on vehicles.

Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The keen interest in the project and the oversubscriptions demonstrate how people are keen to move to more sustainable travel options. E-cargo bikes are an attractive zero-emission transport solution that also help to reduce congestion on our roads.

“They offer many benefits, including significant fuel cost savings compared to a vehicle, increased activity levels for the rider, improved local air quality and no carbon emissions. Increasing ecargo bike usage will be a crucial part of Scotland’s transition to net zero.”