Logistic Hubs for Emission-Free Urban Distribution

More than 40 major Dutch cities aim to gradually ban fossil fuel commercial vehicles starting in 2025. This ban will be implemented through the creation of so-called zero-emission zones, as outlined in the national Climate Agreement, with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions from commercial traffic (delivery and freight trucks) by 1 Mton.

It is often overlooked that electrification alone does not solve the congestion, delays, and safety issues in increasingly crowded cities that must remain both supplied and livable.

While more electric vehicles in the city will help, other operational methods, such as the use of urban consolidation centers – known as  "hubs" – can also significantly contribute to addressing these issues: fewer emissions, fewer vehicles, and more efficient movement of freight and services in cities, resulting in less disruption and safer traffic as additional benefits.

Reduce emissions
Carriers can utilize zero-emission transport services to and from the city through a hub at the city's edge. This means that individual transporters do not all need to deploy battery-electric vehicles for the future zero-emission zones.

From the city's and carriers perspective, hubs are the optimal way to organise supply within the city and thereby improve live-ability.

Many distribution vehicles enter and exit the city inefficiently, leading to more delivery and freight trucks in cities than necessary. We consolidate various logistic flows at the city's outskirts into hubs, fewer vehicles would be needed to move the same volume in and out of the cities.