Eco-Friendly Last Mile Delivery Options in Belgium (2025)

TL;DR

Sustainable last-mile delivery is now a central focus for Belgian e-commerce and logistics providers. Regulations, consumer behaviour, and cost pressures are pushing businesses toward eco-friendly logistics options. This article outlines the most viable green delivery models, including electric vans, cargo bikes, parcel lockers, and micro-fulfilment, with legal and operational insights for 2025 and beyond.

What Are the Main Sustainable Last Mile Delivery Options in Belgium?

Quick answer: Electric vans, cargo bikes, pickup lockers, and micro-fulfilment hubs are leading sustainable delivery models.

Belgium is embracing green last mile delivery solutions to reduce congestion and meet EU carbon targets. Electric vans offer reduced emissions and qualify for tax incentives, while cargo bikes are perfect for dense cities like Brussels. Lockers and pickup points are becoming more common, allowing for consolidated deliveries and fewer trips.

Micro-fulfilment hubs – small warehouses within cities – reduce travel distances and improve delivery speed. Carriers like bpost and DHL are piloting these across Belgian urban areas.

1. Electric vans are exempt from tachograph rules and offer full tax deductibility until 2026.
2. Cargo bikes can cut urban CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to vans (ICCT).
3. Parcel lockers reduce failed delivery attempts and emissions per parcel.
4. Micro-fulfilment cuts average delivery route by 30–50%.
5. bpost uses 5,500 bikes and 1,000+ e-vans across cities like Antwerp and Ghent.

What Laws and Incentives Support Green Delivery in Belgium?

Quick answer: Belgium offers tax benefits, LEZ exemptions, and EU subsidies for zero-emission delivery vehicles.

To accelerate green e-commerce delivery, Belgium has integrated sustainability into multiple regulatory layers. Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent restrict diesel and high-emission vehicles. Zero-emission vans and cargo bikes are exempt from tolls and enjoy access benefits.

Electric delivery vehicles are fully tax-deductible until 2026 and partially deductible thereafter. The EU’s Green Deal and national strategies support transition grants, including vehicle rebates and charging infrastructure subsidies.

1. LEZ zones cover all Brussels municipalities and major cities.
2. Zero-emission trucks and vans are toll-exempt via Viapass.
3. Electric delivery vans ≤4.25t are tachograph-exempt (April 2025).
4. Full tax deductibility of EVs ends in 2026 and phases out by 2031.
5. Subsidies available for chargers, fleet electrification, and pilot programmes.

How Do Emissions Compare: Bikes vs Vans vs Electric Vans?

Quick answer: Cargo bikes emit up to 90% less CO₂ per parcel than diesel vans; electric vans cut emissions by ~60%.

Urban delivery emissions depend heavily on vehicle type and route density. Research from the ICCT and European Environment Agency shows that diesel vans emit ~250g CO₂ per parcel, while electric vans average ~100g, factoring in Belgium’s low-carbon grid. Cargo bikes, with near-zero operational emissions, outperform all others in urban zones.

1. Diesel van: ~250g CO₂/parcel (avg urban route).
2. Electric van: ~100g CO₂/parcel in Belgium (ICCT, EAFO).
3. Cargo bike: ~10–20g CO₂/parcel (mainly production footprint).
4. Belgium’s electricity mix enables lower EV emissions than EU average.
5. bpost reduced fleet CO₂ by 15% YoY in 2024 using this model.

Are Lockers and Pickup Points Greener Than Home Delivery?

Quick answer: Yes—lockers and pickup points reduce failed deliveries and emissions by up to 70%.

Parcel lockers and pickup networks consolidate deliveries, allowing couriers to drop off multiple parcels at once. This reduces mileage, fuel use, and delivery time. In Belgium, over 3,000 pickup points and 1,000 lockers exist, mainly operated by bpost, PostNL, and independent networks like Cubee and Kariboo!.

Failed deliveries contribute up to 25% more CO₂ emissions per parcel. By using lockers, carriers optimise routes and cut down on re-attempts.

1. bpost: 3,000+ pickup points and 1,000 lockers nationally.
2. Locker drop-off reduces CO₂ per parcel by up to 70% (BeCommerce).
3. Reduces traffic in dense urban zones (Brussels, Antwerp).
4. Lower return logistics cost for businesses and consumers.
5. Lockers are accessible 24/7 and support contactless delivery.

What Do Belgian Consumers Think of Sustainable Delivery?

Quick answer: Most support green delivery options—but want flexibility and clarity at checkout.

A 2024 DPDgroup survey showed 73% of Belgian consumers favour sustainable delivery if it’s affordable and clearly explained. However, fewer than half actively choose it unless prompted.

Success depends on UX—merchants should highlight environmental impact and make sustainable delivery the default. Younger consumers (18–34) are most receptive to bike or locker delivery.

1. 73% of consumers support green delivery options (DPD Belgium 2024).
2. Only 41% choose it when it’s not set as default.
3. Younger audiences more likely to opt for lockers or bike delivery.
4. Clear labelling of CO₂ impact improves uptake rates.
5. Retailers using “green by default” delivery see +15% adoption.

What Are the Challenges of Sustainable Last Mile Delivery?

Quick answer: Fleet costs, regulation complexity, and logistics coordination remain key barriers.

Adopting sustainable last mile delivery isn’t without hurdles. High upfront investment in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and route optimisation software slows down small and mid-sized carriers.

City-specific LEZ regulations vary, requiring constant fleet audits. Limited availability of public charging points in some areas adds pressure. In dense cities, micro-fulfilment hubs and lockers ease last-mile strain, but require partnerships and zoning permits.

1. High cost of EV fleet transition without grants.
2. LEZ regulation differences between Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp.
3. Charging infrastructure gaps in semi-urban areas.
4. Logistics complexity of coordinating lockers, bikes, vans, and hubs.
5. Need for trained staff, driver onboarding, and tech upgrades.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is eco-friendly last mile delivery required by law in Belgium?

A: Not always, but from September 2024, retailers must offer a green delivery option like lockers or bike couriers.

Q: Are electric vans really better for the environment?

A: Yes—especially in Belgium, where the power grid is lower in carbon than the EU average.

Q: What’s the cheapest green delivery method?

A: Pickup points and lockers are often cheapest and emit far less CO₂ than home delivery.

Q: Do customers care about green delivery?

A: Most do—but adoption is higher when it’s labelled clearly or set as the default.

Q: Can small couriers comply without big budgets?

A: Yes—grants, exemptions, and partnerships with lockers or shared e-fleet providers can reduce costs.

Sources

Belgian Economic Code – Article VI.45/2 – Two-option delivery rule (2024)
Source: economie.fgov.be

LEZ Brussels / Antwerp / Ghent – Entry bans, vehicle categories
Sources: lez.brussels, stad.gent, antwerpen.be

FPS Mobility Belgium – EV policy and tachograph laws
Source: mobilit.belgium.be

EU Green Deal & CO₂ Emissions Standards – Trucks and vans
Source: transport.ec.europa.eu

GDPR Article 6(1)(b) – Legal basis for delivery tracking
Source: gdpr.eu

bpost Sustainability Reports – EV transition and carbon metrics
Source: corporate.bpost.be

ICCT Report on Urban Emissions
Source: theicct.org

EAFO Belgium Dashboard – Charging and EV data
Source: eafo.eu

DPDgroup / BeCommerce – Consumer surveys on green delivery
Sources: dpdgroup.com, becommerce.be