IKEA extends Utrecht eTrailer rental pilot

by Tom Parr

IKEA and NÜWIEL have announced the extension of a popular “Do-It-Yourself-Delivery” pilot scheme in Utrecht. The trial, which began in April, has been so popular among customers that it was renewed in July and will now run until early October.

The pilot allows IKEA customers to rent one of two NÜWIEL eTrailers, which can be coupled to almost any bike. Booking is done via an app, the IKEA website, or at the in-store customer service desk. The trailers are configured with an open loading area, making them perfect for transporting flat-pack furniture and other large or fragile items such as plants. With a maximum load capacity of 150kg, they offer a practical alternative to using a car.

“Not everyone has access to a car in urban locations, and public transport isn’t always ideal for large items,” said Alastair Morgan, of the Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, which has also run similar trials at stores in Vienna and Stockholm, adding; “We’re exploring DIY delivery solutions to offer more accessible, affordable, and convenient take-home options.”

At IKEA Utrecht, the first two hours of the rental are free, with each additional hour costing €13. On average, customers rent the trailers for 2.4 hours, though NÜWIEL tell us that some have kept them for a full day or a weekend. This service is part of IKEA Utrecht’s wider DIY Delivery scheme, which also includes cargo bikes from Freetrailer and Vok. Meanwhile in Hamburg, NÜWIEL also run their own eTrailer rental service from their HQ.

Photos: NÜWIEL and INGKA

NÜWIEL will be on hand at ICBF 2025 in Utrecht on 13-14 October to showcase their eTrailers and discuss the outcomes of the IKEA pilot.