A cargo bike with solar panels is the latest type of vehicle that Ziggo technicians will be using for the next few months while out on their rounds in Utrecht. The 'SunRider' will enable them to reach customers in the city centre much more quickly and in a much more environmentally friendly way!

For the company’s technicians, manoeuvring a van through the city centre can be quite a lengthy operation, as they often have to contend with narrow streets, blocked-off routes, one-way traffic and a lack of parking spaces. Using a bike provides a solution in such cases, which is why VodafoneZiggo launched a trial of the SunRider.
Zero emission zones in our towns and cities
By introducing this electric tricycle, the company is already one step ahead of the future. From 1 January 2025 onwards, over thirty towns and cities in the Netherlands are set to bring in a 'zero emissions' zone, as that was what was laid down in the Climate Agreement. This means that vans or cars that emit CO2 will no longer be welcome in those places.

Dramatically reducing emissions
VodafoneZiggo's ambition is to ensure that as many customer visits as possible are 100% environmentally friendly. "Our aim is not only to keep travel time as short as possible, but also to achieve a dramatic reduction in emissions per kilometre", says Marloes Timmerman from VodafoneZiggo. "Right now, we intend to continue doing everything we can to ensure our company is fulfilling the latest requirements in all of the zero emission zones that have been announced, even before 2025 comes along. The SunRider already takes it one step futher, not only eliminating emission, but also charging the battery with clean energy."

95% less CO2
The SunRider Cargo bike is the vehicle that the VodafoneZiggo's technicians will be using during the trial period. It emits 95% less CO2 than the vans that the company is currently using. What is more, a cargo bike does not incur any parking changes or delays or require any parking permits but will allow engineers to reach customers in the city centre quickly and easily. As travel times will become shorter, engineers will also be possible to assist more customers in the course of a single day.

A cargo box that generates solar energy
The 'SunRider' is also fitted with a spacious cargo box in which the technicians can conveniently store their equipment and keep it waterproof. The exercise gained while pedalling will also help improve their health. But this bike has yet another benefit – it generates solar energy. Solar panels that convert the sun's rays into energy have been fitted both to the sides and the top of the cargo box.
Capturing 'big data' en route
Finally, the bike's on-board equipment will record a whole host of data that will enable VodafoneZiggo to work as effectively as possible. Not only will the equipment check which route is the most efficient one, how many kilometres the bike has covered, how fast the engineer is riding and how many calories he/she is consuming, for example, but it will also record things such as how much sunlight is available that day – and how much energy therefore needs to be generated.

Checking and correcting
By bringing together all that big data, the company will be able to check and correct the routes being taken and the way that the bike and its solar panels are being used. “Our aim is to achieve an ideal balance between speed, customer-friendliness, energy consumption and health. Thanks to this approach, we are on track towards 2025, in the right gear!"

Self-charging
In 2021, the Netherlands-based company Need the Globe (NTG) brought the SunRider onto the market. It is the first cargo e-bike anywhere in the world to make use of solar energy. This innovative concept combines sustainability with productivity. As the bike is self-charging, it doesn’t need to take any electricity from our already overburdened electricity grid.

Learn more about VodafoneZiggo's role in society

Sunrider Ziggo