Context and policy framework

Milan is the second largest city of Italy. As such, the city of Milan has a high traffic level, in which freight accounts for more than 4,000 tonnes or 20,000 supplies delivered to retailers every day. In order to limit the potential disadvantages created by a high freight activity, the municipality of Milan has implemented a package of mobility solutions including a congestion charge area also known as ‘area C’ or ‘Area Bastioni’, which corresponds to the city-centre. Despite the efforts of the municipality and the introduction of the Area C, congestion remains an important issue in Milan. This has consequences in terms of air quality and traffic efficiency.

Recently, a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan has been adopted by the city. Among other measures the plan aims to strongly encourage e-sharing mobility, e-Public Transport and also support the deployment of electric vehicles in urban freight. The plan will also enhance the existing charging infrastructure.

Solutions implemented in FREVUE

The pharmaceutical delivery sector has been identified as one in which efficiencies could be gained. Therefore, the focus of Milan’s project activity is to improve the urban distribution of goods within the pharmaceutical chain by implementing a logistics system which will coordinate supply and utilise electric freight vehicles for delivery. Specifically, the system is dedicated to the distribution of medicines to pharmacies located within the Congestion Zone in the Municipality of Milan

In order to achieve this goal, Milan established a consolidation centre on the outskirts of the city and procured a (refrigerated) electric freight vehicle for operation from this consolidation centre. In cooperation with the local freight operator which serve the 59 pharmacies located within Area C, the municipality of Milan estimates that their electric vehicle (e-NV200 Nissan) has the potential fulfil 20 percent of the pharmaceutical logistical needs. Through the use of an electric van for pharmaceutical deliveries, the City of Milan intends to promote this model towards other Italian and European cities.