Swiggy partners with Reliance BP Mobility to build EV ecosystem

Swiggy, an online food delivery platform, today said it has partnered with Reliance BP Mobility Limited (RBML) to build an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. The announcement comes as part of its ambitious plan to transition to EVs and reduce vehicle costs.

To enable end-to-end delivery of orders via cargo e-cycles, the food delivery startup has also partnered with Hero Lectro, an e-cycle manufacturer, and Fast Despatch Logistics, a last-mile delivery player in the UK. The company said in a statement that EV trials are already underway in Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad.

The move came in response when the government's push for EVs, the expansion of support infrastructure, and the anticipated long-term cost savings.

Swiggy CEO Sriharsha Majety stated in a statement that the company was aware of its environmental impact and was taking the necessary steps to make the journey more sustainable, “Transitioning to EVs is an important step in this direction. It will have a positive impact not only on the environment but also empower our delivery partners to earn more,” Majety said.

By 2025, the company expects to cover 8 lakh kilometers per day in EVs and cut vehicle operating costs by 40%. The company wants to transition to electric vehicles and has been testing the concept for nearly two years.

Swiggy has spent the last two years implementing various models to determine what would make EV adoption easier and more profitable for its delivery partners, according to the company.

It will build battery-swapping stations for delivery partners across the country as part of its agreement with RBML. A single fully charged battery will allow people to travel 65-80 kilometers. The batter swap will take less than 5 minutes, according to the company, resulting in shorter wait times and more deliveries.

Reliance BP Mobility Ltd is a joint venture between Reliance Industries (RIL) and BP Plc, the UK's largest energy company.

Swiggy will also train delivery partners on how to use EVs, swapping stations, and apps that monitor battery performance, according to the company.

As part of its collaboration with Hero Lectro and Fast Despatch Logistics, it will deploy electric cycles for last-mile deliveries. It is currently being tested in Hyderabad and will be expanded to other metros in the coming months, according to the company.

Also Read:

• Swiggy raises $1.25 billion led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Prosus

Follow IndianStartupNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter for the latest updates from the startup ecosystem.