- During the event, organized by Las Naves, the results of the last mile urban logistics project SmartDelivery were presented.
- The initiative provides solutions for decarbonization with zero-emission vehicles.
- The event was attended by the heads of the consortium formed by Las Naves, T-Box, the Finnova Foundation and the co-financing entity EIT Climate-KIC.
Brussels, 21.12.2021
On Tuesday, December 21, the results of the SmartDelivery project have been presented in the webinar “Electric Urban Logistics, adaptable experiences to your city” organized by Las Naves, the Valencian center for social and urban innovation.
Smart Delivery is an innovative logistics model that transforms the urban distribution of goods. Developed by the Valencian company T-Box Delivery & Solutions, S.L., it has been launched in Valencia thanks to the consortium formed by TBox, Las Naves and Finnova, and has the support and co-financing of EIT Climate KIC, the European Innovation and Knowledge Community, which aims to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free economy.
Towards the digital transformation of cities
The session was opened by Ignacio Chanza Banzó, head of innovation at Climate-KIC, who highlighted that “we live in a prosperous, inclusive and climate-resilient society with a net-zero emissions circular economy, whose mission is to catalyze systemic change for climate action through a portfolio approach”. “This initiative is an opportunity for the transformation of cities and to improve the habitat and health of inhabitants, as it brings new business models and uses technologies for logistics transformation,” he said.
Álvaro Reina, European energy project manager of the Finnova Foundation, explained the genesis of the project and the reasons why it is necessary to bet on a transformation of the current urban logistics model, “due to the fact that road transport is one of the most polluting sectors”. On the other hand, reina has unveiled the European Mission 100 climate-neutral cities by 2050, which aims to enhance the European Green Pact and accelerate compliance with the Paris Agreement.
The Smart Delivery project and changes in urban logistics
Smart Delivery aims to adapt the logistics sector to a new digital and sustainable era that is in line with the objectives of the Green Pact. The project was awarded the Mobility Startup Europe Awards, presented on November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26).
The #SmartDelivery last mile solution is positioned as an example for the delivery of goods in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The switch to the SmartDelivery logistics model avoids 79.31% of greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the definition of suitable routes, multi-product warehouses – microhubs and electric vehicles. The initial project has been implemented in Valencia and combines a consolidation center (micro-hub), the use of electric vehicles and the digitalization of the sector.
Alberto Moreno, CEO of T-Box, explained that “to achieve this goal, it is necessary to talk in terms of logistics network, modifying the conventional conception of supply chain. The project is based on streamlining the generation of hubs and micro-hubs and last-mile urban logistics services under public-private collaboration“. To this end, it focuses on several key points: decarbonization, using sustainable vehicles to provide a more efficient and resilient delivery service; automated multi-product warehouses to make stocking more effective; and technology to support end-to-end operations. As a result, delivery productivity has increased by 27%. .
Finally, Ángel Navarro, mobility and European projects expert at Las Naves, was in charge of giving a workshop on “transfer in electromobility and urban logistics”, in which he explained the challenges and opportunities presented by the sector, as well as the capacity for change and adaptation of the current logistics model. The Multi-use lanes, the cargo space reservations or the distribution point ticket offices are some of the innovative initiatives that are already being worked on. Navarro emphasized the wide range of alternatives that can contribute to promoting change in logistics.
About Finnova Foundation (www.finnova.eu)
Finnova Foundation is a Belgian-Spanish foundation that helps institutions and organisations to receive funds for innovative projects. It aims to promote private-public cooperation through innovation in order to address societal challenges, e.g., employment, training, entrepeneurship, SDGs, the circular economy, etc. Finnova organises Startup Europe Awards, a joint initiative by Finnova and the European Commission to reward the best European start-ups.
About Las Naves (https://www.lasnaves.com )
Las Naves is the center of social and urban innovation of the city of Valencia. A public entity that depends on the Delegation of Innovation and Knowledge Management of the City Council of Valencia and promotes urban and social innovation by putting people at the center of their actions. Las Naves supports development and innovation to provide solutions to the real needs of citizens.
About T-Box (https://tboxds.es )
T-Box is a company that offers advanced logistics solutions and whose core business is focused on the efficient management of the supply chain, with special attention and performance in the “last mile.
About Climate-KIC (https://www.climate-kic.org )
EIT Climate-KIC is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon and climate-resilient society. With the support of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, they identify and support innovation that helps society mitigate and adapt to climate change.