Client
IKEA (Utrecht & Stockholm)
Hardware
• 2x PowerShelter Units
Fleet
• VOK, NÜWIEL, FreeTrailer
• 2 removable battery types, 1 charging facility
Access control
RFID Locks for staff-managed logistics
Ensures only authorized personnel handle batteries
Impact
Low-cost transport with high-efficiency logistics
Results
One charging locker for VOK and NÜWIEL batteries. Zero downtime, full rental readiness
CHALLENGE: Managing Multi-Brand E-Cargo Bike Charging
IKEA launched its "Do-It-Yourself-Delivery" zero-emission urban mobility pilot in Utrecht and Stockholm. The model was simple: customers rent an e-cargo bike or trailer to bring purchases home, then return it in-store.
But the rental fleet ran across three brands — VOK, NÜWIEL, and FreeTrailer — with different requirements. With VOK and NÜWIEL running on different battery types, managing charge across the fleet became a logistical problem staff had to solve at every handover.
SOLUTION: E-Bike Charging Where the Fleet Parks
IKEA installed two PowerShelter units directly in the parking zone, so batteries could be swapped on the spot without needing to move equipment elsewhere.
Multi-Brand Compatibility: VOK and NÜWIEL each take a different battery. A single PowerShelter unit supports both, removing the need for brand-specific chargers or costly facility upgrades.
Operational Readiness: With charging where the fleet already parks, battery swaps became a thirty-second task. Rental turnaround stopped being a bottleneck.
IMPACT: Rental Readiness Meets Urban Accessibility
A busy rental fleet only works if every returned vehicle is immediately ready for the next customer. Here's what that looked like in practice:
Customer Reliability: Batteries always charged and ready at handover, making the service a dependable, low-cost alternative to car transport while removing range anxiety from the rental experience.
Plug-and-Play Deployment: Installation required no facility upgrades, so IKEA activated a new service without disrupting operations.
Scalable Framework: The pilot has opened the path to EU-wide expansion, including API integration for fully automated fleet booking.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Build the Ecosystem, Not Just the Fleet
IKEA's pilot worked because they launched a complete ecosystem rather than just a fleet. Integrating PowerShelter alongside VOK, NÜWIEL, and FreeTrailer meant the hardware worked in sync from day one — no logistical burden on staff, no gaps in the customer experience.
The result is a scalable model for any retailer looking to make sustainable last-mile transport straightforward to run.
