A trade association has been launched at the Fleet Electrification Forum today to support the shift towards cleaner and more efficient freight.
Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA) brings together freight providers with a shared vision of ultra-low emission deliveries and services.
It comes as cities across the UK are implementing new measures to reduce congestion and air pollution. SUFA will advocate for innovative solutions and policy changes that will enable clean vehicle transitions within this policy environment.
SUFA prioritises activities including policy and government engagement, research and networking. Its focus areas will be to support freight operators investing in electric vehicles, cargo bikes and multimodal freight solutions.
The Association is funded by health charity Impact on Urban Health. Impact on Urban Health’s funding means the Association is offering membership free of charge for the first year.
Bringing together all freight operators, from large national operators to small businesses, SUFA has 18 founding members. These firms represent mixed, fully EV and cargo bike fleets as well as suppliers supporting operators with their transition to clean vehicles.
Founding member organisations are: Colchester eCargo; DHL; DPD; Delivery Mates; Evri; First Mile; Hived; Hubl; Keert; Ocado; Orkestro; Papaya Dash; Pedal Me; Priority Express; Recorra; Serenova; Thames Clipper; Velocity Cycle Couriers Oxford.
The organisation 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 towards clean freight in a way that supports businesses, protects the environment and improves daily life in our cities.”
Lee Pugh, Founder of Colchester eCargo and co-chair of SUFA said:
“This association has a real opportunity to speed up decarbonisation in the sector. SUFA is bringing together innovators across the sector who have a genuine commitment to cleaner deliveries.
“We will advocate for freight solutions which maximise efficiency including alternative modes of freight that will support operators as urban landscapes continue to evolve. By shifting how we move goods and services through our cities, we can build a freight system that works for people, profit and the planet.”
Edoardo del Bino, Founder of Orkestro and co-chair of SUFA said:
“I firmly believe that better collaboration can help the sector achieve its sustainability goals. SUFA will enable this, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking and policy interventions that will support fleet decarbonisation. Our collective voice will help the industry progress towards net zero, ensuring that green freight is the norm for everyone.”
Alec Peachey, Founder and Editorial Director of Transport + Energy, said:
“I am delighted that the Sustainable Urban Freight Association has launched at our Fleet Electrification Forum.
“The challenges of the sustainable freight sector are well known, and SUFA will be a vital body to deliver advocacy, guidance, best practice and collaboration – the key tenants that T+E supports – in order to ensure that last mile deliveries and urban freight are able to successfully decarbonise.
“The association’s plans to support freight businesses with the decarbonisation of transport is crucial. In order to ensure a just transition, it is important to recognise the financial burden on logistics firms to decarbonise, and the necessary support required.
“SUFA will play a vital role in these issues, and I welcome it to the industry. As always, T+E will work with the association and the wider industry to support the public and private sectors in their decarbonisation journeys.”
