Bike park "VkusVilla" completely updated with safer e-bikes

2023: Bike Park Update

On October 23, 2023, VkusVill announced that it had replaced all electric bicycles in the internal rental bike park with safer ones with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. First of all, this will reduce fire risk, ensure safety for the darkstore team, buyers and residents of cities. Also, this type of LFP batteries has a longer life, a larger charging capacity, resistance to frost, less impact on humans and the environment.

Bike park "VkusVilla" completely updated with safer e-bikes

According to the company, buyers receive more than 300 thousand orders every day. As of October 2023, about 13 thousand couriers are actively cooperating with the company, of which 2.5 thousand use electric bicycles. This transport is used regularly, which, of course, affects the intensity of the load and entails many factors that affect the life of the bike. The risks faced by the delivery market during its period of active development are fires associated with the ignition of lithium-ion batteries on electric bicycles.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many gadgets and equipment, of different types depending on technology and market requirements. They themselves are not dangerous, but due to the small life cycle they quickly wear out, then there is a risk that such a battery will bring problems. During operation, lithium-ion batteries do not tolerate high temperatures, which can lead to a fire that has an explosive shape, ignites sharply and reaches temperatures up to 1300 ° C. Our task is to minimize such risks and ensure maximum security for our employees, partners and customers. For this, a whole range of measures is being taken, one of which was the transition to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in bicycles. told Maxim Solomatin, assistant to the head of the administrative and economic delivery department of VkusVilla

Facing fire for the first time on the darkstore, the company assembled a working group that developed a list of measures to minimize the risks. In darkstores, VkusVill made battery rooms with an air conditioning system, extended the practice of cabinets for storing and charging batteries to the entire network, and updated the fire extinguishing system. All safety measures at the points were provided in full.

To study alternative battery options for e-bikes of couriers, VkusVill assembled a scientific base on lithium-ion batteries, consulted with specialists in China and attracted a research and production team of a leading technical university in Russia to test. Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFPs) have become a suitable solution. Batteries of this type are used by Tesla in the production of all basic models of its electric vehicles.

LFP batteries have more significant chemical and thermal stability, as well as other suitable safety functions and functions. They are non-combustible even when used frequently, operated incorrectly and handled incorrectly during discharge and recharging. These batteries are more resistant to temperature fluctuations and thermal acceleration. They can withstand large amounts of heat without melting or decomposing. In addition, LFP batteries do not contain any toxic substances. Thus, they are completely safe for use in the delivery service.

Since February 2023, VkusVill began to change the internal rental bike park - those e-bikes that partners provide to the company for rent. In October 2023, all bicycles were updated, it was impossible to replace only the accamulator due to the technical specifics of LFP batteries, in particular, they are larger than lithium-ion in size and have another charger. The expenses of the administrative and economic department increased by 25%, there is no place for savings in the company's security issues.

As reported, the safety of couriers is very important for the company. Therefore, VkusVill cooperates only with those partners who offer e-bikes with safe, phosphate batteries for rent. Such batteries:

• non-combustible and explosion-proof;
• chemically stable;
• are resistant to temperature fluctuations;
• have a long service life: up to 10,000 cycles (discharge-battery charge) and remain explosion-proof for the entire service life. Lithium-ion batteries last up to 1,000 cycles and become more explosive as the battery degrades.

A more detailed comparison of the two types of batteries is presented in the infographic:

Infographics

Infographics

The team has yet to further test phosphate battery e-bikes during the cold season. This is also a very relevant issue for delivery services, especially in Moscow, where sub-zero temperatures can last up to 5 months a year. According to the declared information, scientific articles and specialized literature, lithium-iron-phosphate models belong to the category of frost-resistant batteries. They are more resistant to the influence of low temperatures in comparison with other lithium-ion-type batteries, less lose capacity in the cold, hold a charge longer, are less prone to voltage drawdowns and reduced current output.

As of October 2023, about a third of VkusVilla cycle couriers use models of bicycles with phosphate batteries, there are couriers who rent vehicles from third-party organizations or use personal bicycles. The administrative department is working to popularize LFP batteries.