Ex Alibaba Designer Aims to Upgrade China’s Delivery Industry with the Chengshi 01

The pandemic has changed how we see the previously invisible delivery workforce and helped to highlight them as frontline workers in China. If you have visited China in recent years, you must have seen the electric three-wheel delivery scooters zooming around. There are currently over 3 million delivery workers in China and the majority of them use these trike delivery vehicles. While many aspects of China’s logistics industry have been improved in recent years, this essential industry still heavily relies on these outdated delivery vehicles. But this is changing. An Alibaba-backed Chinese technology start-up, Matrix Data (矩阵科技), has revealed the Chengshi 01, a fully electric mini delivery van specifically designed for the delivery force.

The Issues with Three Wheel Delivery Scooters

For decades, the electric three wheeled delivery scooters have been the most efficient delivery vehicles available. They can navigate the narrowest streets imaginable and most importantly they are extremely cost efficient. There is virtually no maintenance required and they run on electricity. However, there are also downsides of using these trikes as delivery vehicles.

First, there are safety issues.  On the streets of China you can often see accidents involving these types of delivery vehicles. They have poor visibility towards the back and little to no technology features to help drivers navigate traffic and pedestrians. 

Secondly, there is virtually no protection from the elements, making it very uncomfortable to drive most of the time. It may be convenient, but it does little to make a happy workforce. 

Difficult to Find Other Options

With these safety issues, the Chinese government has also been pushing hard to gradually phase out these delivery vehicles. Some major logistic companies such as those owned by JD.com and Alibaba have been adding small gasoline powered delivery vans into their fleet. However, due to increased cost and maintenance, these remain a small portion of the delivery fleet. Another issue with vans is that they require a driver’s license to operate, while trikes don’t, so with trikes companies can hire anyone that is willing to work. 

As for electric vans, many of the current options are too expensive. Another problem is the range issue. With an extremely time sensitive industry such as logistics, any down time needed for charging will cut into the already paper-thin profit.

How the Chengshi 01 Aims to be the Solution

Alibaba-backed Chinese technology start-up, Matrix Data (矩阵科技) has revealed a fully electric delivery van specifically designed to solve these issues. What’s more, according to the company, delivery personnel were involved throughout the entire design process, adding and subtracting features that are most important to the workers. 

Priced at six thousand US dollars, the Chengshi 01 is more affordable for logistics companies. While still small and nimble, the overall styling of the Chengshi 01 is a huge upgrade compared to the three wheeled scooters. I would have no complaints seeing this stylish delivery van all over China. More importantly, drivers are protected from all sides. 

Matrix Data claims the Chengshi 01 has a range of 150 miles around 240 km. But if that is not enough, Chengshi 01 solves the range issue by adding a unique power bank solution, allowing users to add battery packs as needed. From the official website image, it seems that users can easily swap out battery modules with no special tools needed, simply unlock the handle and remove. The extra battery storage area can also be used as an extra cargo compartment to maximize payload capacity.

Chengshi 01 also features software specifically designed for delivery workers, allowing easy access to information such as location, vehicle health and more.

I predict that soon we should see this adorable delivery van roaming the streets of China. According to the Matrix spokesperson, China’s state-owned postal service provider China Post has agreed to purchase ten thousand Cheng 01 vans and will deploy them immediately. If this comes to fruition, it is highly likely that we will quickly see other companies soon follow.