Ikea will deliver to its Parisian customers by boat and cargo bikes

Ikea will begin boat deliveries worldwide. The company has also approved tests for an initial solar-powered cargo bike. 

The Swedish company continues to invest in electric mobility. The Swedish firm has committed to converting its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2040. Ikea is also committed to sustainable mobility.

Bags of furniture in flat packs on the Seine

The flat-pack furniture giant will deliver to Parisian customers via the Seine, by boat then by electric vehicles for the last kilometer. The furniture will initially travel four hours by boat from Gennevilliers before being loaded onto electric trucks that will deliver to individuals.

According to Ikea’s estimates, boat deliveries on the Seine could reduce the number of truck kilometers traveled in Paris by 300,000 annually. “Developing river transport is not an option but a necessity for the City of Paris, and we will support each project that moves in this direction,” added Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris.

Ikea is also testing cargo bikes

Last year, Ikea tested the Sunrider cargo bike from Dutch manufacturer Need The Globe in Delft. The electric cargo bike is equipped with solar panels, making it a particularly sustainable option for the last mile. It is a silent, zero-emission alternative that can bypass traffic jams. It can carry the equivalent of a Euro pallet of 1 m³ and has a load capacity of 150 kilograms. The bike is powered by a 250-watt motor installed in the rear wheel hub. It features a 1.6 kWh interchangeable battery. With a full charge, it has an autonomy of about 100 kilometers.

This Sunrider bike can transport about 90% of IKEA’s range of products and emits 98% less CO₂ than modern diesel vans. For IKEA, “exploring new ways to improve customer service offerings in a more sustainable, affordable, and accessible manner is important,” explains Helene Davidsson, Head of Sustainability. She sees the bike as a solution for Ikea’s many urban customers who have limited access to transportation.

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