Delivery bike v van
Whizzing around the countryside delivering eggs on a motorbike has a lot of appeal both financially and from a practical point of view. Does a 125 XC bike stack up versus a small van?
Cost and convenience comparison chart of motorbike versus van over 4 years:
| Cost Component | Motorbike Delivery | Small Van Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | 3,300€ (new)+450€ reg = 3,750€ | 5,000€ (2nd-hand)+ 450€ reg =5,450€ |
| Top Box and Racking | 500€ (extra cost) | N/A |
| Clothing and Helmet | 1000€ | N/A |
| Insurance | €200 to insure | 500€ to insure |
| ITV | No ITV for 4 years | ITV every 6 months - 120€ /year |
| Fuel | 30kms/day €50/month €600/year | 30kms/day €100/month €1,200/year |
| Village Circulation Tax | N/A | 85€/year |
| Total Cost Over 4 Years | 6950€ | 11,235€ |
Note: The above comparison chart assumes local delivery within a 30km range. 200€/year to maintain motorbike, 500€/year to maintain the van.
In essence the bike costs 1700€/year to run or 1000€/year less than the van. The downside is the inclement weather. The van is not good in ice or snow either.
Pickup v van
A pickup is the ideal vehicle for delivery AND the farm AND for building work or olive-picking work.
Here's the cost comparison chart between a van and a pickup:
| Cost Component | Van Delivery | Pickup Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | 5,000€ (second-hand) | 7,500€ (2007 Nissan pickup) |
| Matriculation | 500 | 500 |
| Fuel | 1,200€/year (30kms/day) | 1,570€/year (30kms/day) |
| Maintenance | 500€/year | 500€/year |
| Insurance | 500€ | 700€ |
| Total Cost Over 4 Years | 11,230€ | 14,700€ |
| Cost/Year Over 4 Years | 2,800€/year | 3,682€/year |
When comparing a van to a pickup, the upfront cost of a 2007 Nissan pickup including matriculation is 7500€ compared to 5450€ for a Kangoo style. The pickup consumes an extra 370€/year in fuel (1500€ over 4 years) versus the Kangoo.
Comparing all three delivery options
Total cost of the pickup is 14700€ over 4 years or 3682€/year
Total cost of the van is 11230€ over 4 years or 2800€/year.
Total cost for a new 125 bike is just under 7000€ over 4 years or 1700€/year.
Ideally I would have a pickup and try offer some sort of additional delivery service as I am dropping off eggs.
