A new trade association has been launched to support the shift toward cleaner and more efficient freight, including the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), cargo bikes and multimodal freight solutions.
The Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA), funded by health charity Impact on Urban Health, brings together freight providers to advocate for innovative solutions and policy changes that will enable clean vehicle transitions as part of the UK’s wider measures to reduce congestion and air pollution.
SUFA has 18 founding members that represent mixed, fully EV and cargo bike fleets as well as suppliers supporting operators with their transition to clean vehicles.
Founding member organizations are Colchester eCargo; DHL; DPD; Delivery Mates; Evri; First Mile; Hived; Hubl; Keert; Ocado; Orkestro; Papaya Dash; Pedal Me; Priority Express; Recorra; Serenova; Thames Clippers; Velocity Cycle Couriers Oxford.
The organization has three co-chairs from waste management firm Recorra, cargo bike operator Colchester eCargo and technology services provider Orkestro.
Kirsten Zoe Smith, net zero lead at Recorra and co-chair of SUFA, said, “SUFA is launching at a critical moment for the freight sector. Local authorities are increasingly looking at ways to reduce congestion within urban areas but the demand for delivery and services is greater than ever.
“Our network supports measures to tackle air pollution in urban areas but these must also address the systemic challenges of adopting clean vehicles. Our ambition is for SUFA to lead the shift toward clean freight in a way that supports businesses, protects the environment and improves daily life in our cities.”
In related news, DHL has been appointed the global logistics partner for the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations globally