Uber Eats, a food and grocery delivery platform, sponsored e-cycles valued at Rs. 42 million for 100 most engaged delivery partners to promote green energy to the local transport sector thereby reducing the use of fuel.
This is the first time such an initiative is being conducted in South Asia.
Uber Eats was also the first platform to introduce cycle deliveries in Sri Lanka last year.
“The cycles will give the riders around 70% saving of their usual fuel bill even under the new CEB traffic system,” said Senior Director, Public Policy and Government Relations, Asia Pacific Region at Uber, Mike Orgill.
Launched as ‘Voltage Edition’ the e-cycles are manufactured by Lumala, the country’s largest cycle manufacturer, and have been especially designed for deliveries.
Ninety of these delivery partners were previously using petrol-powered motorbikes while the other 10 were using regular bicycles.
These cycles have a range of up to 100 kilometres and top speed of up to 30 kilometres per hour.
The e-cycles can cover longer distances than regular bicycles and are easier to maintain than traditional motorbikes. The cycle battery charges in four hours: this makes delivery downtime minimum and reduces expenses versus fuel costs. By making it easier to cover a bigger delivery distance radius with lesser effort, delivery partners will be able to potentially make more deliveries and earn more.
The initiative is a step forward towards Uber Eats’ global vision of moving all trips to sustainable mobility by 2040.
“The company will also facilitate a 30% discount on the purchase of Lumala e-cycles and 15% discount on spare parts for delivery partners on its platform in the future,” said , Interim General Manager, Uber Eats Sri Lanka, Pivithuru Kodikara.
“Today, cycle deliveries account for 10 per cent of total deliveries for Uber Eats in Sri Lanka. With e-cycles, Uber Eats takes the next step towards sustainable mobility and paves the way for e-bikes and e-scooters on its platform in the future.”
Director Orgill said, “We’re committed to Sri Lanka and are continually bringing the best that Uber Eats has to offer to the country.
After becoming the first platform to introduce cycle deliveries, we’re onboarding customized e-cycles today in line with our global vision to move to sustainable mobility by 2040. We will soon add e-scooters and e-motorbikes for deliveries as part of our efforts to promote sustainable mobility in the country.”
The Voltage edition e-cycles have been custom designed to compete with electric scooters and motorbikes. - SS