Founded in 2019, ecofleet began as one of the UK’s few cargo bike companies with a mission to transform the logistics industry. Felipe Murua, CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer, reflects on the organisation’s commitment to providing fast, efficient, and carbon-neutral delivery services.
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION FORWARDS
Dedicated to meeting the needs of businesses while contributing to a cleaner, greener future, ecofleet specialises in last-mile delivery using electric cargo bikes. Based in Chiswick, West London, it covers the majority of the city’s Zones 1 and 2.
“We offer three main solutions to our clients: same-day delivery, next-day delivery, and dedicated rider services,” opens Felipe Murua, CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer.
The company’s diverse customer base ranges from grocery stores, e-commerce businesses, and pharmacies to wine cellars, cheese shops, florists, and more.
With new advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) coming to the fore, ecofleet is able to operate with a small but highly motivated fleet of just eight dedicated individuals.
“In this way, we are able to ensure we deliver efficient, personalised, and sustainable services to our clients,” Murua confirms.
A CLEANER, GREENER DELIVERY SOLUTION
The last-mile delivery industry in London has become highly competitive of late, with major players such as DPD, Royal Mail, and Amazon dominating the market.
However, due to a shift in customer preferences and priorities, many businesses and individuals are increasingly seeking greener and more personalised delivery solutions.
“This evolving demand has created opportunities for smaller companies like ecofleet to step in and provide tailored services that address these new expectations,” Murua points out.
The public perception of cargo bikes has also evolved significantly over time. Initially, the company’s clients were primarily e-commerce businesses and local shops, but today, it increasingly serves the health industry that has embraced this mode of logistics due to its efficiency and sustainability.
“Cargo bikes offer key advantages over traditional delivery methods, particularly in healthcare, where reliability and eco-friendliness are essential,” he elaborates.
This makes ecofleet’s bikes an ideal choice for industries that prioritise sustainability without compromising on service standards.
As the last-mile delivery industry continues to rapidly evolve, it presents an exciting space to be working in.
“The growing recognition of the value that smaller, agile companies like ecofleet bring to urban logistics is driving innovation, particularly in green logistics solutions,” Murua excites.
“The growing recognition of the value that smaller, agile companies like ecofleet bring to urban logistics is driving innovation, particularly in green logistics solutions”
Felipe Murua, CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer, ecofleet
ADAPTING TO AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY
As ecofleet has grown and evolved over the years, it has faced various challenges.
“When we first started, a key challenge was introducing cargo bikes as a viable logistics solution,” Murua reveals.
As many were unfamiliar with ecofleet’s concept, it invested significant efforts in educating customers on how its electric cargo bikes could meet their logistics needs in a more efficient and eco-friendly way. Five years on, customers now understand and appreciate the value of the company’s fleet.
Today, ecofleet’s challenges have shifted. Its primary concern is optimising the utilisation of its bikes to minimise downtime for riders, particularly the time spent commuting between jobs.
“To address this, we are leveraging technology to optimise routes and improve scheduling efficiencies,” he informs.
The company’s second challenge concerns fleet maintenance. As ecofleet’s service reliability hinges on the performance of its cargo bikes, regular maintenance is critical.
As such, the company has implemented a rigorous maintenance schedule and invested in training each of its team members on bike maintenance to keep the fleet running smoothly.
“By prioritising upkeep, we ensure the safety of our riders and the satisfaction of our clients,” Murua details.
DELIVERING SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE
A key, ongoing project of ecofleet’s involves expanding its partnerships with general practitioners (GPs), pharmacies, and hospitals. This initiative is part of the company’s broader mission to decarbonise the supply chain within the healthcare sector.
“Healthcare has unique logistical needs, and by integrating cargo bikes into the delivery process, we provide a sustainable, efficient, and reliable solution for medical deliveries,” he affirms.
Being able to provide this service is especially important to ecofleet as it enables the company to contribute to patient care whilst making a significant environmental impact.
By utilising electric cargo bikes in this way, it is able to reduce carbon emissions and improve delivery efficiency to ensure that patients receive medications and essential supplies faster and more reliably.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability, and highlights our dedication to making a positive impact within the community,” Murua explains.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Sustainability is not just a pillar for ecofleet – it’s the very reason the company exists.
From the outset, its mission has been to provide a greener solution to the last-mile delivery industry, reducing environmental impacts through the use of electric cargo bikes and other sustainable practices.
In fact, the company sees sustainability as more than just an environmental concern but a holistic approach to doing business, which includes treating employees with respect and ensuring it has the best possible working conditions.
“Sustainability also means consistently putting our client’s needs first, delivering exceptional customer service alongside efficient, green logistics solutions,” Murua insights.
For ecofleet, sustainability is about making a positive impact on all fronts – environmentally, socially, and economically.
“It’s about running a business that benefits the planet, our people, and our clients, creating long-term value for all stakeholders,” he adds.
“These prestigious certifications reflect our dedication to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency”
Felipe Murua, CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer, ecofleet
STANDING OUT FROM THE COMPETITION
ecofleet’s unwavering commitment to social and environmental responsibility across every aspect of its operations clearly defines the business as a delivery service with a difference.
“Unlike companies that might prioritise financial success alone, we take pride in our triple bottom line approach: people, planet, and profit,” Murua sets out.
In this way, ecofleet is able to ensure that not only its own business practices benefit from its sustainable output, but so do society and the environment.
Another key differentiator is that it is the first cargo bike organisation in London to achieve EcoVadis’ Gold Medal, alongside recently becoming B Corp-certified – a milestone outlined in the company’s initial vision.
“These prestigious certifications reflect our dedication to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency,” Murua concludes.
By adhering to these principles, ecofleet demonstrates how sustainability and ethical business practices are at the core of its operations, setting it apart in what has evolved to become a highly competitive industry.
