Amazon's EV initiative offers support and customised vehicles to Delivery Service Partners, advancing carbon-neutral deliveries in the subcontinent
Amazon has launched a global last-mile fleet programme in India that exclusively uses electric vehicles for deliveries. The program offers comprehensive support to Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), including maintenance, charging, and parking for the EV.
Amazon has set a goal to expand its electric fleet to 10,000 vehicles by 2025 in India and is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. To achieve this goal, Amazon is providing its DSPs with access to especially customised three-wheeler EVs through a fleet management company, enabling them to make environmentally friendly and secure deliveries exclusively for Amazon.
The program not only facilitates leasing the EV fleet but also extends support to DSPs in terms of maintenance, charging, and parking for these vehicles. Furthermore, the vehicles are integrated with telematics and safety technology, enabling real-time monitoring of vehicle performance driving behaviour.
According to Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha, Adviser at NITI Aayog, programs such as this are essential to decarbonise last-mile delivery operations and encourage the adoption of innovative solutions.
Amazon has unveiled the latest fleet of Mahindra Zor Grand three-wheeler EVs, which have been enhanced to improve the efficiency of last-mile deliveries. The Mahindra Zor Grand is equipped with digital rear-view cameras for additional safety, can travel at speeds of up to 50 kmph, and can cover over 100 km on a single charge.
Amazon has already deployed more than 6,000 electric vehicles across over 400 cities in India and is expected to expand its electric fleet to 10,000 vehicles by 2025. The company has also pledged $10 million to C40 Cities' initiative, Laneshift, in conjunction with The Climate Pledge and Global Optimism.
This initiative aims to reshape zero-emission freight shipping in major cities across Latin America and India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.
Abhinav Singh, VP of Operations at Amazon India, said that the company is committed to being net-zero carbon by 2040, and decarbonising the delivery network is a critical component of achieving that goal. Amazon has launched the last-mile fleet program in India with an all-electric fleet to help delivery service partners reduce carbon emissions. It is the first country where Amazon can do this, and the company is excited to do so.