In a strategic move aimed at transforming India’s delivery landscape, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), has forged a notable partnership with Amazon. The collaboration marks a significant stride toward electrifying the middle-mile and last-mile delivery operations and for the future of electric trucks for the e-commerce giant within India.
The partnership’s official statement outlines an ambitious agenda: the introduction of up to 1,000 zero-emission electric trucks across various payload categories into Amazon’s dynamic delivery ecosystem within the next five years. These electric vehicles will be seamlessly integrated into Amazon’s delivery operations through the involvement of Amazon’s transport service partners, VE Commercial Vehicles.
As a preliminary step, Amazon is slated to deploy 50 Eicher electric trucks in key hubs such as Delhi, Manesar, and Gurugram in the coming months. This proactive move emphasizes Amazon’s commitment to swift implementation and operationalization of sustainable transportation solutions.
Vinod Aggarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of VECV, underscored the collaborative initiative’s significance in fostering smart and sustainable logistics solutions. He noted, “This partnership reflects our commitment to promoting smart sustainable solutions and developing a zero-emission transport ecosystem.”
Abhinav Singh, Vice-President of Customer Fulfilment, Amazon Transportation Services, Global Specialty Fulfilment, and Supply Chain, reaffirmed Amazon’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint within its delivery operations. He asserted, “We remain committed and are well on our way to integrate 10,000 EVs into our delivery fleet in India by 2025.”
The transformative partnership is underpinned by Eicher’s cutting-edge electric truck technology, fortified by advanced digital capabilities. Leveraging its established electric vehicle platform, which has already demonstrated its prowess in bus applications, Eicher is well-positioned to deliver tailor-made electric trucks.
These electric trucks, with deck lengths ranging from 8 to 24 feet, will offer optimized cargo stacking arrangements. The vehicles will cater to various operational requirements by providing both fast and slow charging alternatives. This approach mirrors Eicher’s dedication to providing comprehensive solutions that encompass diverse operational aspects such as charging infrastructure, battery capacity, charging duration, and energy management strategies.
Meanwhile, Eicher Motors, the parent company of Eicher Trucks and Buses, reported a remarkable consolidated net profit of ₹905.6 crore in the quarter ending March 2023. This figure demonstrates a substantial year-on-year growth of 48.42%. The quarterly revenue for Q4FY32 also witnessed an impressive upswing, standing at ₹3,804.32 crore compared to ₹3,193.32 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This financial robustness further underscores Eicher’s capability to lead innovative transformations in the transportation industry.