E-bikes have emerged as a reliable and eco-friendly alternative to cars for urban transportation. However, recent developments have shown that their usefulness extends beyond personal use.

Large cargo e-bikes designed for commercial applications have surfaced. One notable example is the PelicanTrain from French start-up Pelican. The vehicle can transport up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of cargo.

The PelicanTrain’s unique design allows users to attach trailers, enabling them to transport substantial amounts of cargo. In essence, the PelicanTrain is an e-bike that functions like a train.

The new cargo e-bike is likely to prove particularly beneficial in doing last-mile delivery for goods purchased online. Global e-commerce sales more than doubled between 2017 and 2022, rising from $2.4 trillion US in 2017 to $5.7 trillion in 2022. Therefore, demand for delivery services has surged.

Currently, most last-mile delivery is done by diesel-powered vans. However, with governments around the world committed to phasing out fossil fuels, diesel vans could soon be outlawed in certain markets. E-bikes don’t emit any CO2 emissions, making them an ideal alternative.

E-bikes also offer other advantages. They can avoid traffic congestion by taking alternate routes that vans cannot, such as bike lanes and park pathways. In addition, e-bikes require much less parking space than vans.

The PelicanTrain’s impressive 1,100-pound load capacity is over double that of other commercial e-bikes, such as the USPS delivery bike. In addition to its large load capacity, another major selling point for the PelicanTrain is its modularity. Users can customize the bike to suit various needs, whether it’s transporting furniture, equipment, or packages.

Pelican was launched in 2021 by co-founders Alex Jacquelin and Thomas Borie. The company also offers maintenance services, training management, and fleet management.

Pelican provides various payment options. According to InsideEVs, short-term rentals start at 15 euros ($16 US) per day, while leasing begins at 45 euros ($49.37) per month.

Customers also have the ability to buy the PelicanTrain outright. Purchase prices begin at 4,500 euros ($4,937).

For more information, check out Pelican’s website.

Image Source: Pelican