A mission not impossible with trikes

This story first appeared in the May issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Luke Davids is “On A Mission”.

That’s the name of his Auckland-based delivery business which uses electric cargo tricycles (ECTs) and electric cargo vans (ECVs).

He’s recently started deliveries in the Auckland central business district, focussing on “last mile” solutions to get around the city’s traffic congestion.

On A Mission has two ECTs and one ECV operating there from its Mount Eden base, with two more ECTs arriving soon.

The electric trikes can use cycle lanes and pathways to reach their objective, avoiding much of the traffic and making good time in the process.

Davids says using such vehicles helps avoid some of the “mess” and is a green solution to issues such as pollution, climate change and congestion.

He grew up in the courier, mailing and parcel business, working in all aspects of delivery for about 20 years. “So I came out of a delivery background, as did my partners.”

Davids has also had a long interest in technology which helps with delivery, able to track progress and ensure the goods are delivered. He says the tracking is similar to Uber, with artificial intelligence assisting with mapping and a chatbot called “Jenny” interacting with recipients.

He calls his business an “electric powered logistics company”.

Davids puts his money where his mouth is on green issues too. As part of the Sustainable Business Network’s Million Metres Streams Project, he provides a small proportion from each delivery for the project to restore native bush along New Zealand’s waterways.

He reckons that by every 100th delivery there’s another tree which can be planted.
Rather than compete against other delivery companies, Davids says he’s keen to establish partnerships with carriers to help where he can.

“Courier companies often have a headache in delivering to apartment blocks and large buildings,” he says.

Davids says delivery people may buzz the intended recipient and find they’re not there, so have to return or leave messages until the delivery is completed. He says returning to the same building time and time again, even for different recipients, is a drain on time and resources.

Some companies do about 40 or 50 deliveries daily in Auckland, all with diesel or petrol vehicles.
Davids would like to see that change.

A business partner based in the United Kingdom has had considerable experience with deliveries and founded a cargo fleet comprising about 150 EVs.

Davids himself is a successful entrepreneur in that field.

Five years after establishing Access Worldwide in 2007, he was responsible for the UK and European launch of technology and logistics firm I-Parcel.

The business was bought by the US-based parcel giant UPS three years later.

Davids and his New Zealand born wife met in London and lived there for about 10 years before deciding to come to New Zealand with their children.

“I thought I would get into a different job than logistics, but that’s where my skills are,” Davids says.
Once well established in Auckland, there’s a strong possibility On A Mission could be extended to other cities.

He’s already saving his “pennies” for an electric truck like a Tesla Semi.

Would Davids use drones in his business? “I’ve been pretty sceptical of drones actually working in the delivery field with current battery and weight restrictions, but I am coming around to the idea. We’re considering some options at the moment.”

One thing’s for sure, Davids is definitely on a mission.

“Long-term, we will see the whole country being on the electric network.”

Visit onamission.co.nz

for more information.