Modeling transition options for a delivery SME: the case of Exprex.
Exprex, a last-mile delivery company specializing in grocery and parcel delivery, sought to reduce its carbon footprint by transforming its fleet and logistics practices.
Project description
The project is based on the observation that road transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec, accounting for 43% of the province’s carbon footprint. Exprex, a last-mile delivery company specializing in grocery and parcel delivery, acknowledges the environmental impact of its activities. Its objective is clear: to develop a transition plan toward eco-responsible delivery practices in order to significantly reduce its carbon footprint by 2030. Coop Carbone was mandated to assess the situation, model different scenarios, and propose a realistic action plan to decarbonize the fleet and operations for grocery delivery services.
The project followed a multi-step approach:
Overview of Exprex’s logistics activities and fleet, along with the identification of opportunities to convert delivery routes to cargo bikes.
Définition de trois scénarios de référence et de transition :
Maintenance of current operations (Scenario 0) as the reference scenario.
Scenario 1: full transition to electric vans.
Scenario 2: large-scale conversion to cargo bikes, while keeping a few gasoline vehicles as backup.
Delivery routes, costs, and GHG emissions were modeled using a simulation platform (WorkWave Route Manager).
Integration of infrastructure costs (e.g., charging stations) and realistic parameters (winter range, vehicle capacity, distances).
“Partnering with Coop Carbone allowed us to go far beyond a simple report on our GHG emissions and recommendations. It opened our horizons, gave us the opportunity to meet key players in the field, and enabled us to form new partnerships.”
— Marc-André Cyrenne, owner
Results and learnings
Major reduction in GHG emissions
Scenario 1 cuts GHG emissions by 82% relative to the reference scenario (Scenario 0), and Scenario 2 reduces them by 88%.
Optimization of operational costs
Scenario 1 reduces operational costs by 2% relative to the reference scenario (Scenario 0), and Scenario 2 by 20%.
Thus, it can be concluded that the scenario with cargo bikes is the most cost-effective, while also improving efficiency (fewer working hours and greater agility in the city).
Validating the potential of the business model
The use of cargo bikes aligns well with Exprex’s delivery volumes and local grocery-focused operations.
Electrification is also relevant, but requires more infrastructure investment and does not reduce costs as much as a large-scale shift to cargo bikes.
Challenges
Costs and investiments
An aging fleet results in elevated maintenance costs and higher risk of failure.
The high initial investment required for electrification (charging stations, new vehicles) and the uncertainty of available support.
Operational acceptability
Adjusting delivery staff to cargo bikes, reorganizing logistics, and collaborating with grocery stores for bike handling and maintenance.
This project was made possible thanks to the collaboration of:
Coop Carbone
Project Lead
Exprex
Partner
Fonds Écoleader
Financial support
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