Ecommerce giant Amazon has launched its last mile fleet programme in India with 100% electric vehicles (EVs), a global first for the company. The programme will assist over 300 Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) in conducting customer deliveries without emitting any tailpipe emissions.
Amazon’s global last-mile fleet programme, successful in North America and Europe, is now launching in India with custom-designed electric EVs to provide DSPs with convenient access to reliable, high-quality zero-emission vehicles for last-mile deliveries.
The India fleet launches ahead of Diwali, and more electric three and four-wheel vehicles will be added over time.
The programme in India provides DSPs with access to customised EVs suitable for last-mile deliveries, with maintenance, charging, and parking also provided. The vehicles are also equipped with advanced safety features, supporting the well-being of Amazon’s delivery partners and the communities they serve. Data generated by the vehicles allows Amazon to optimise deliveries for safety and punctuality.
“We are committed to be net-zero carbon by 2040, and decarbonising our delivery network is an important part of getting us to that goal,” said Abhinav Singh, VP of Operations, Amazon India.
Tom Chempananical, director of Global Fleet and Products, at Amazon, said, “These vehicles will raise the bar for last-mile delivery services, helping us deliver packages to our customers safely, reliably and efficiently.”
The ecommerce giant plans to incorporate a significant portion of last-mile delivery vans into the programme over the next two years, eventually including all such vans. In the initial phase, the company introduced Mahindra Zor Grand three-wheeler EVs, specially equipped for Amazon’s last-mile deliveries.
Mahindra Zor Grand is an emission-free electric three-wheeler designed for efficient last-mile logistics. With a roomy 170 cubic feet delivery box and a strong 400kg payload capacity, it’s well-suited for handling daily shipments, especially in areas with poor air quality.
Amazon has rolled out over 6,000 electric vehicles for package delivery in over 400 Indian cities, aiming to increase this fleet to 10,000 by the close of 2025.
This development aligns with the government’s efforts to promote EV adoption in India to reduce carbon emissions.
In October, India saw over 70,000 electric two-wheeler registrations, marking a four-month milestone. Month-on-month, these registrations grew by 9.8%, reaching 70,248 units according to Vahan data as of October 31.
Global businesses are also emphasising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors, which are driving greater focus on increasing EV adoption.
Flipkart, Zomato, and Swiggy, have also partnered with several EV manufacturers to fast-track the adoption of EVs in their logistics fleet.
For instance, Amazon’s rival Flipkart has also said that it will deploy 25,000 EVs by 2030 to electrify its fleet.
Similarly, Swiggy has partnered with Taiwanese battery-swapping solutions provider Gogoro to promote its electric smart scooters for last-mile delivery across India.
In recent times India has seen the launch of several cleantech startups that have come up with out-of-the-box solutions to contribute to India’s clean energy goals. Some of these startups include, 75F, Ace Green Recycling, CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions, GPS Renewables, ION Energy, and more.
Amazon is actively exploring low-carbon fuels, embracing energy-efficient innovations, and investing in renewable energy projects to reduce emissions from electricity generation. Recently, the ecommerce giant revealed a 198-megawatt wind farm in Osmanabad, Maharashtra, India, marking its 50th renewable energy project in the country and pushing its capacity past 1.1 gigawatts.
The company aims to power its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025.
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