GSF Car Parts pilots electric delivery bikes in London
National motor factor GSF Car Parts is piloting a new green solution to navigating traffic around its London branches by partnering with VOK Bikes.
GSF has 180 branches across the UK and Ireland, 14 of which are located in and around London, supplying OE and aftermarket parts, tools and more to independent garages, national chains and the public. This week saw GSF’s Tottenham Branch take delivery of two VOK Bikes, a nifty electric cargo bike, designed to make short work of the busy capital and allow GSF drivers to navigate bustling streets to serve their customers in a fraction of their previous times.
With a design small enough to fit just about anywhere a traditional push bike can go, the VOK Bikes are able to travel in cycle lanes and areas restricted to motor vehicles. The branch said it will use the VOK Bikes as part of a trial to determine their efficiency, impact and effectiveness compared to traditional delivery vehicles such as vans and motorbikes.
GSF Car Parts CEO Steve Horne said: “We are always looking for the best, most efficient way to serve our customers across the UK. The capital city can pose more challenges than most. London has notoriously bad traffic, low average speeds and lots of stop-start driving, so we’re exploring alternative methods to get from A to B and are delighted to be piloting these VOK Bikes.
“As a business whose bread and butter is distribution, we have a responsibility to test alternative means of fuel that are greener and more sustainable for the environment, which is exactly what this trial gives us the opportunity to do.”
With delivery times reportedly cut down to as short as just 10 minutes to some garages, the electric delivery bikes are already proving a hit with customers.
GSF Car Parts Tottenham General Manager Mustafa Ugan said: “We were really excited for these bikes to arrive and quickly saw the difference they’re going to make for us. We’ve even had some customers ordering straight after receiving a delivery to see how quickly we can get back to them.
“The traffic in Tottenham gets extremely heavy, especially when there’s a football match being played, so the VOK bikes will allow us to carry on uninterrupted and greener.”
The VOK Bikes are able to utilise a small electric motor along with their power-assisted pedals, so drivers can choose how best to get around.
GSF Car Parts Executive Chairman Sukhpal Ahluwalia added: “These VOK Bikes allow GSF to deliver to our customers in record time, beating the obstacles that such a large city usually poses with ease. Our delivery times are tumbling and customers are clearly impressed by this new super-fast delivery service, so the early signs are that we have found a smart and climate conscious solution to get our customers the parts they need.”
