Nabila Khademi
Project Manager, Communications & Marketing | CQCD – Envoi Québec
Sustainable development and ecological transition
Envoi Quebec
Logistics and supply chain
03 July 2024
Sustainable Delivery: A Fast-Growing Offer on Envoi Québec
By
Nabila Khademi
The sustainable delivery offer is expanding on the Envoi Québec platform thanks to the green turn of many carriers operating in Quebec: the decarbonization of truck fleets, the boom of cycle logistics, and the new “sustainable delivery” certification… Discover how Quebec’s logistics landscape is reshaping itself to provide ecological last-mile delivery solutions for retailers!
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The Environmental Impact of the Rise of Online Shopping in Quebec
In 2023, the total amount of online purchases generated by adult Quebecers represents $17.8 billion, an increase of 8.80% compared to 2022 (NETendances, 2023). The growth of e-commerce sales inevitably increased the number of delivery trucks on the streets, exacerbating the harmful effects of goods transportation on the environment. In parallel, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchases, and are more inclined to consume in an eco-responsible manner. A growing number of local retailers and transporters are going green to meet demand and reduce their environmental footprint.
What is Last-Mile Delivery?
Last-mile delivery is the final stretch of the logistics supply chain, during which a parcel is transported from the distribution center or warehouse to its final destination. This final step involves several challenges for retailers, logistics service providers, and consumers.
The Main Challenges of Last-Mile Delivery
- Delivery costs represent a major expense for retailers.
- Delivery time and cost can influence a customer’s buying decision and level of satisfaction.
- Goods transportation is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Quebec, accounting for 34% of total emissions – of which 50% is attributed to the last mile.
What is Carbon-Free Delivery?
Carbon-free delivery uses transportation methods that emit zero greenhouse gases (GHGs). On the Envoi Québec platform, our carbon-free carriers use fleets of electric vehicles and cargo bikes to complete their shipments.
Bike cargos also reduce the disturbances associated with last-mile deliveries, such as noise pollution and road congestion, while ensuring an efficient, ecologically responsible service.
Envoi Québec Helps E-Commerces Reduce Their Shipping Costs and Carbon Emissions
Envoi Québec is a platform designed to help local online businesses manage and optimize their logistics.
Merchants register for free and benefit from advantageous prices through our pre-negotiated rate agreements. Our platform provides centralized access to the services of over 20 carriers.
In just a few clicks, it’s possible to compare all available shipping rates for parcel delivery and choose from various shipping options, including “zero-carbon solutions” (available in certain regions).
To meet the demands of online businesses and consumers of Quebec in terms of sustainable development in the retail sector, Envoi Québec aims to expand the carbon-free shipping offer available on its platform.
In collaboration with the Coop Carbone, Envoi Québec supports the decarbonization of carriers’ vehicle fleets and is encouraging retailers to opt for greener logistics solutions. A key objective of the initiative is to feature as many carbon-free local carriers on the platform as possible so that sustainable delivery becomes more accessible to both retailers and consumers across Quebec.
The following carriers can guarantee a carbon-free delivery when a shipment request is made on the Envoi Québec platform:
A Growing Carbon-Free Delivery Network Throughout Quebec
Nationex
Nationex is a Quebec-based freight company delivering Canada-wide. Its rapid shipping solutions are well adapted to the needs of online businesses. This includes next-day delivery in most regions of Quebec and Ontario.
In terms of sustainable development, the logistics company is fully committed to its ecological transition, and currently owns a fleet of nearly 70 electric vehicles, reducing its global CO2 emissions.
With its “Green Network”, Nationex provides Quebec businesses with the opportunity to ship their parcels sustainably in many regions such as:
- Greater Montreal
- Quebec City and surrounding areas
- Chicoutimi
- Trois-Rivières
- Drummondville
To expand its sustainable delivery network, Nationex plans to introduce its 100% electric delivery service in several other cities: Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Shawinigan, Saint-Hyacinthe, Granby, Magog, Victoriaville and Bromont in Quebec, as well as Toronto and Ottawa in Ontario.
The carrier’s ambition for 2025 is to electrify all its delivery routes – where possible.
In 2021, the City of Montreal – in collaboration with the Coop Carbone – launched the Colibri Iberville project: an urban sustainable logistics initiative that supports the swap of heavy trucks for cargo bikes and small electric vehicles to fulfill last-mile deliveries in urban areas. To reduce its environmental footprint, Nationex has taken part in this initiative through the use of the cross-docking space to carry out some of its last-mile deliveries via electric cargo bikes.
In addition, beginning of 2024, Nationex obtained Coop Carbone’s “sustainable delivery” certification for its deliveries in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, and Quebec City. This certification ensures that its electric delivery service meets strict sustainability standards.
Sustainable Delivery Powered by Cycle Logistics
Chasseurs Courrier
Based in Montreal, Chasseurs Courrier is a local, independent courier cooperative specializing in parcel delivery using bicycles. This carbon-free carrier offers customized shipping services adapted to fulfill the delivery of various goods, parcel types, and delivery times.
Chasseurs Courrier ships everywhere on the Island of Montreal, in Laval, and on the South Shore. Online retailers can ship packages through the carrier’s following services:
- Express Shipping (delivery within 3 hours after pickup)
- Same-Day Delivery
- Next-Day Delivery
As an eco-friendly carrier, the totality of its delivery services is “certified sustainable delivery” by Coop Carbone.
The co-op differentiates itself by its business model, which includes B2C delivery as well as food delivery for restaurants, all at ethically fixed rates. Chasseurs Courrier adapts to its customers’ shipping needs, whether it’s for light and small parcel delivery, the transportation of heavy merchandise, or rush long-distance courier services.
What’s more, shipping packages via bicycle remains just as efficient – not to mention faster – than using a truck, since cyclists can avoid road obstructions such as construction sites and traffic jams in urban areas. It’s worth mentioning that Chasseurs Courrier also operates all year round, including throughout the winter!
The ecological transition in the logistics sector is well underway! Many of Envoi Québec‘s partner carriers have already acquired fleets of carbon-free vehicles and/or are using other eco-friendly solutions to provide greener delivery services. At the moment, their carbon-free delivery services are not guaranteed when a shipment request is made via the Envoi Québec platform. To highlight the transformation of the logistics landscape, here’s an overview of the solutions implemented by our partners in the transportation industry and their commitments in terms of sustainability:
A Billion-Dollar Investment to Decarbonize Its Fleet of Vehicles
Purolator
To reach its emissions reduction targets by 2030, Purolator plans to invest $1 billion in the decarbonization of its vehicle fleet.
The carrier is also actively exploring low-GHG alternatives such as electric cargo bikes and low-speed vehicles for last-mile delivery. Since 2021, the carrier has been an active participant in Coop Carbone’s Colibri Iberville project in Montreal. Using the sustainable urban logistics mini-hub, Purolator makes some deliveries with electric cargo bikes.
Additionally, Purolator recently earned Coop Carbone’s “sustainable delivery” certification for its deliveries in specific core areas within the city of Montreal.
100% Electric Last-Mile Delivery by 2045
GLS Canada
Since 2023, GLS Canada has been “going green” by acquiring four zero-emission, fully electric trucks for last-mile deliveries. In contrast to diesel-powered vehicles, just one of these electric trucks represents a reduction of up to 400 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually (the equivalent of 80 cars).
A Fully Electrified Fleet by 2040
Postes Canada
At Canada Post, over 10% of vehicles are already hybrid or electric. The carrier is also pursuing tests for the use of other low-emission alternatives for last-mile deliveries, such as electric cargo bikes and low-speed vehicles.
In the long term, Canada Post has some large-scale objectives in mind as it plans to electrify its entire fleet of 14,000 trucks by 2040 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
50 Electric Vehicles Already on the Road for Greener Deliveries
FedEx
In 2021, FedEx Express Canada implemented a fleet of 50 cargo bikes across Canada, some of which were deployed at the Colibri Iberville logistics mini-hub in Montreal.
FedEx then introduced 50 “BrightDrop” electric vehicles to its logistics network in 2023 to reduce its carbon emissions for last-mile delivery. The new electric fleet was launched in Montreal (Quebec), Toronto (Ontario), and Surrey (British Columbia).
The logistics service provider is committed to electrifying 50% of its fleet by 2025, and then 100% of it by 2030.
More Than 18,300 Vehicles Powered by Alternative Fuels
United Parcel Services (UPS)
United Parcel Service (UPS) is an American courier company delivering across Canada and internationally. As of 2023, it operates more than 18,300 vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as electricity and natural gas. These vehicles travel more than a million kilometers a day using clean energy!
For deliveries in congested urban areas, UPS uses e-bikes and other environmentally friendly transportation methods.
By 2050, UPS intends to become entirely carbon-neutral.
To find out more about Envoi Québec’s e-commerce logistics solutions and sign up for free:
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