Global delivery company UPS has announced it is trialling 100 four wheeled e-cargo-bikes (e-quads) for use in dense urban areas as the delivery giant aims to electrify and further optimise its fleet.

The e-quads have been designed and built by British e-cargo-bike makers Fernhay and are going to operation in seven European cities, with plans to extend the trials into the US and some Asian markets. Though it did not disclose which companies are making them, UPS has said they are trialling other makes of e-quads too.

The vehicles have an electric assisted top speed of 25kph (15.5mph) but can go faster on downhill stretches after the motor cuts out. They have a capacity of 200kg and a range of around 40 miles per charge – more than enough for urban routes of this kind. Being just 91cm wide, they can legally use bike lanes and use pedestrianised zones that vans would not otherwise be able to access.

Luke Wake, UPS vice president of fleet maintenance and engineering said “There are more and more opportunities for zero-emission solutions like this that can alleviate inner-city congestion. It can also help our operations be more efficient at the same time.”