Co-op will offer delivery by electric bike for customers who spend at least £15

The Co-op is using electric cargo bikes to launch its first online delivery service.

Customers will be able to get their groceries in as little as two hours through Co-op’s first internet shopping website.

Its bikes are pedal-powered but boosted by an electric motor. The firm said the bikes will do the same job as a van but require a fraction of the energy, meaning they are more environmentally friendly. 

Customers have to spend at least £15 and pay a £5 delivery fee, or they can order online and collect in store for free.

For now the service is limited to those who live within two and a half miles of Co-op’s Chelsea store, but it plans to extend this. 

Chris Conway, Co-op head of food digital, said: ‘As the leaders in convenience shopping, we want to look at different ways of bringing our award-winning products closer to shoppers, and this new service does exactly that.’ 

James FitzGerald, managing director of e-cargobikes.com said: ‘We are thrilled that a highly respected national brand like Co-op are demonstrating environmental leadership by launching their online delivery service using e-cargobikes.

‘We are re-imagining grocery deliveries and exploring a more sustainable transport system with our e-cargobikes that can do the same job as a van while requiring a fraction of the energy.’

The Co-op said it was considering a number of different home delivery schemes, and recently announced a free taxi grocery delivery service at eight stores around the UK.

It is also trialling the use of robots in Milton Keynes to make small deliveries from a local store.

Customers will be able to get their groceries in as little as two hours through Co-op’s first internet shopping website