PORTLAND, Ore. — Pedal powered UPS deliveries are about to roll their way through downtown Portland streets.
The delivery giant is partnering with Portland State University and the Portland Bureau of Transportation to bring electric delivery vehicles to the campus and beyond.
Starting on Nov. 18, we'll see the e-trikes making actual deliveries not just on campus but in the surrounding downtown Portland area as well.
It's all part of a pilot project.
UPS will be testing to see if the e-trikes can cut down or even replace traditional gasoline powered trucks to cover the final leg of the company's various delivery routes around PSU.
"We're really looking to see what we can do to scale this thing and make it a reality of the next few months," said UPS President Joe Braham.
According to PBOT, transportation contributes to about 40% of the city of Portland's greenhouse gas emissions.
"Really if we are going to tackle climate change we have to work on transportation," said PBOT Director Chris Warner.
UPS will be using two different kinds of electric cargo trikes for its deliveries. Both trikes are manufactured in Portland.
All the e-trikes used will be bike lane legal.
PBOT plans to eventually expand the program bringing emissions-free deliveries across the downtown Portland core.
"I think it's a really smart idea," said PSU student Mary Byrne. "I think it's something we should all be looking at to try to transition from cars to other forms of transportation."