The project examined the economic and ecological feasibility of two sharing concepts for electric cargo bikes (ECBs) that arise from the return of leased bicycles. In the first concept, a reuse‑mix‑sharing model was tested. The financial analysis for the first year showed total rental income of €13,623 and sponsorship revenue of €5,412, giving a combined income of €19,035. However, the cost side was dominated by the residual value of the bicycles (€20,295), start‑up costs (€45,657) and ongoing operating costs (€103,094), leading to a total expense of €169,046 and a net loss of €150,011. The high initial investment, coupled with unpredictable return times of leased bikes spread across Germany, made the model unprofitable and logistically challenging. The study therefore recommended a revised approach: the leasing company would purchase returned bikes, sell them to an external leasing partner, and the partner would continue to rent them out. This two‑step model was identified as both economically and ecologically optimal, as it eliminates the need for the original leasing firm to manage the bikes directly and reduces transport and storage burdens.

The second concept explored a host‑based sharing model inspired by the Swiss company Carvelo and the German free‑sharing initiative. In this B2B2C arrangement, the leasing firm (BMS) would lease ECBs from a leasing company and then rent them to commercial customers such as cafés, small shops, residential complexes, leisure facilities, and municipal entities. BMS would provide a web platform, a mobile app, marketing, and maintenance services. The commercial customers would pay a monthly fee and could further sub‑rent the bikes to the public, thereby sharing revenue. This model reduces complexity because it eliminates the need for dedicated stations; the bikes are stored at the host sites. The project also developed an accumulator charging cabinet in collaboration with Stöbich Technology GmbH, which would standardise the rental process and allow hosts to monitor bike condition and maintenance history through the app.

Pilot projects and surveys identified key requirements for the host‑based model. Users demanded simple operation, modular design, large cargo space, reliable performance, easy handover, short travel distance to the host station, low administrative burden, predictable availability, effective publicity, fixed rental times, a low‑threshold tariff model (monthly fees between €100 and €200), personal engagement, and a clear booking tool. The study noted that hosts who use the bikes for business deliveries often block afternoon slots, which can conflict with public availability; coordinated scheduling or shared usage among multiple businesses could mitigate this issue.

Collaboration was central to the project. The core partners were BMS, Stöbich Technology GmbH, and the think‑tank DD, which facilitated workshops and stakeholder interviews. A Design Thinking workshop in December 2019 and a second, online workshop in November 2020 were conducted to refine scenarios and develop personas. Regular biweekly meetings ensured continuous progress and alignment among partners. The project, part of the LC2 initiative, ran from late 2019 through 2020, with scenario projections extending to 2025. While the report does not specify a funding body, the LC2 designation suggests support from a German federal or European programme. The combined technical findings and collaborative process provide a roadmap for scaling ECB sharing models that balance economic viability with environmental sustainability.