Zomato Joins Deliver-E Coalition to Accelerate Adoption of Zero-Emission Delivery Vehicles

Zomato has announced its participation in a global coalition of food and grocery delivery platforms to promote zero-emission two- and three-wheeler vehicles. The Deliver-E Coalition, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was unveiled in Dubai. Founding members include Delivery Hero, DoorDash, iFood, Mr D, Swiggy, Uber, and Wolt alongside Zomato.

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The coalition aims to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, bicycles, and other eco-friendly delivery options. Members will exchange best practices, monitor electrification progress, and address shared challenges. "Our goal in joining the Deliver-E Coalition is to leverage the power of knowledge-sharing and collective action to accelerate this transition," said Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer at Eternal Limited.

Global E-commerce Growth

According to UNEP, global e-commerce sales reached USD 25 trillion across 43 economies in 2021, marking a 15% rise from pre-pandemic levels. This surge in online orders is putting new operational pressures on cities and businesses. Without changes in last-mile logistics management, urban delivery emissions could increase by over 30% in the top 100 cities worldwide.

The UNEP highlights that this pressure could lead to a 14% rise in traffic congestion, a 12% increase in healthcare costs, and add about five minutes to daily commutes. Additionally, research suggests that deliveries might contribute up to half of the transport sector's emissions in cities by 2030.

Zomato's Commitment to Sustainability

Zomato was among the first delivery brands in India to commit to using electric vehicles (EVs) for food delivery in 2021. This initiative aims to reduce emissions and combat air pollution. "We've invested in generating awareness among delivery partners on the benefits of using EVs for delivery," Kumar stated.

The company has facilitated access to EVs for its partners through collaborations with over 40 OEM and fleet partners. Zomato has also advocated for policies supporting the use of EVs for deliveries. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable practices within the industry.

As cities face increasing challenges from rising doorstep deliveries, initiatives like the Deliver-E Coalition are crucial. By uniting major players in the industry, the coalition seeks to drive significant progress towards sustainable urban logistics solutions.

With inputs from PTI