Save the CO2 price with cargo bikes

A CO2 tax has been in force since the beginning of this year. With it, all those companies that bring carbon dioxide-generating energy sources such as heating oil, natural gas, petrol and diesel onto the market are asked to pay. They must purchase emission rights for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by their products and pay the legally agreed CO2 price. This price is currently 25 euros per tonne and will rise to 55 euros in 2025. Although the term CO2 tax is often used in this context, it is not a tax in the true sense of the word, but a levy that is regulated by the price. By setting a binding price, companies can adjust for a while and take the tax burden into account in future investment decisions. From 2026, the price will then be set via auctions of the emission certificates - in the range of between 55 and 65 euros each.

"Areas that emit a lot of carbon dioxide are hit particularly hard by the CO2 price," says VSC Managing Director Raik Vollmann. This applies above all to the use of heating fuels such as heating oil or natural gas and fuels such as petrol and diesel. The federal government is thus pursuing a simple principle: climate-damaging products, production methods and behavior should be more expensive than climate-friendly ones. "It can quickly become expensive, especially for companies with a fleet of vehicles," says Raik Vollmann, adding: "Of course, the fuel dealers will pass on their CO2 cost burden to the customers." Many cars in the fleet would then quickly become a significant financial burden.

Alternatives are in demand. One of them is the switch from the company car to the cargo bike. Delivery companies in particular have already recognised this trend and are increasingly delivering to end customers on cargo bikes. Besides protecting the environment, there are other reasons for using cargo bikes - especially in urban areas: they relieve inner-city traffic, are quiet and can sneak past traffic jams. Moreover, they do not require a parking space. The free space thus gained can be used, for example, to create a green area.

And there is something else that speaks for the use of cargo bikes: credible commitment to the environment. More and more customers and consumers are questioning the way companies produce and transport goods to them. "Today, mobility concepts are important for a company's external image," Raik Vollmann can also confirm after numerous discussions with customers. "The negative consequences of motor vehicle transport, for example CO2 emissions, are increasingly being addressed by customers and consumers," he continues. Many deliverers are already reacting and changing their vehicles. Often they are met with a wave of sympathy, because cargo bikes are seen as innovative eye-catchers. The media also often report positively on the use of cargo bikes.

The purchase of cargo bikes can be managed through financing models, leasing or even a state subsidy. "Together with a partner, we offer different financing models. With leasing, for example, the costs for the bikes are spread over a long period of time. At the end of the contract period, the customer can also decide whether he wants to exchange the cargo bikes he is used to for new models, continue leasing them or purchase the bikes for their residual value," says Raik Vollmann. In addition, the federal government subsidises the purchase of a cargo bike with 25 per cent of the purchase price - up to a maximum of 2,500 euros.

Anyone who is still not convinced should take a look at the UBA research project of the Federal Environment Agency. Here, the environmental impacts of the different modes of transport were compared. The result was that "the modes of active mobility (e.g. walking and cycling) have significantly lower environmental impacts and costs than cars, trucks and planes".

Cost savings, practicality, environmental compatibility. And cargo bikes are also good for the corporate image - time for a little test drive, isn't it?

You can arrange exactly that with our experts at any time. Of course, our team will also be happy to answer all your questions about the cargo bike.

To the contact page