Milan advances zero-emission deliveries with cargo bikes and tricycles
Milan is taking a major step toward cleaner, fairer urban logistics, focusing on zero-emission last-mile deliveries in the city centre.
Led by IKEA Italy, in partnership with the social enterprise So.De - Social Delivery, and supported by the local Agency for Mobility, Environment and Territory, the initiative aims to reduce congestion, emissions and noise caused by the rapid growth of e-commerce while improving working conditions in the delivery sector.
The challenge is significant. Each day, around 155,000 deliveries linked to online shopping travel on Milan’s roads, accounting for approximately 87% of all urban freight movements.
Managing this volume of goods has become a central issue for the city, which is advancing a comprehensive strategy for sustainable urban logistics, including the development of logistics hubs, an expanding cycling network and stricter access regulations in central areas.
Building on an existing cargo-bike model
The new pilot builds on an established collaboration between IKEA Italy and So.De. Since August 2022, the partners have been delivering light parcels weighing under 20 kg by cargo bike across Milan. These lighter orders represent more than 50% of IKEA Italy’s total deliveries, and cargo bikes now operate daily from two urban hubs, reaching every ZIP code in the city.
At the beginning of the collaboration, the cargo-bike option was not visible to customers at online checkout. Instead, customers discovered the environmental and social benefits of the service through information included with their delivery. Today, cargo-bike delivery is clearly displayed as an option when shopping online, and customer satisfaction monitoring is underway, with the first results showing promising levels of approval.
Testing larger pedal-powered vehicles
While cargo bikes are already in operation, the core objective of the new pilot is to refine and strengthen the existing delivery model, particularly in dense central areas. From January to March 2026, deliveries in selected ZIP codes in the historic centre will be carried out using standard cargo bikes. From April to June, the same areas will be served using larger pedal-powered vehicles, such as electric tricycles.
These vehicles are designed to carry higher volumes while remaining compliant with access rules in pedestrianised and restricted zones. They will operate under a co-loading model, combining IKEA orders with parcels from other clients to improve load factors and reduce the number of kilometres travelled.
Performance will be evaluated using a mix of logistics indicators (such as cost per delivery, service reliability, kilometres travelled and load efficiency) alongside rider feedback focusing on safety, drivability and comfort in real urban conditions.
“We are inspired by CodeZERO’s innovative approach to co-design sustainable, zero-emission delivery solutions,” says Naima Comotti, Co-founder of So.De. “Urban logistics can be made more sustainable by using cargo bikes, reducing emissions and traffic congestion.”
Alternatives to conventional vehicles
Most of Milan’s streets belong to one of Europe’s largest low-emission zones, while the historic centre has restricted access through congestion and environmental controls. In the Fashion District (Quadrilatero della Moda), rules tightened further from 2025, with vans limited to short delivery windows and a full ban on motorised two-wheelers from 2026.
These restrictions are accelerating the search for alternatives to conventional delivery vehicles. Cycle-based logistics, already well-suited to short distances and dense urban areas, offer a viable solution that aligns with Milan’s environmental goals while maintaining service levels for businesses and residents.
Social impact at the core
Beyond environmental benefits, the Milan pilot places strong emphasis on social sustainability. So.De operates offering fair contracts, adequate training and safety equipment, and prioritising the employment of people from vulnerable or marginalised backgrounds.
This approach aims to address some of the structural challenges of the last-mile delivery sector, where precarious work is common.
“Through our participation, we aim to enhance both urban logistics sustainability and social impact,” Comotti adds. “We observe a clear trend towards eco-friendly logistics. Our goal is to support a fairer, more sustainable urban delivery system that improves the liveability of public space.”
A milestone on a longer journey
For Milan and its partners, the pilot represents an important milestone rather than a final solution. As delivery volumes continue to grow and access rules tighten in central areas, zero-emission, cycle-based logistics are likely to play an increasingly central role in how goods move through the city.
If successful, the pilot could help accelerate wider adoption of cargo bikes and larger pedal-powered vehicles demonstrating that even in dense, regulation-heavy urban environments, last-mile deliveries can be quieter, cleaner and more socially responsible.
