In the face of a massive boom in eCommerce, you need to look for ways to reduce your last mile delivery costs, to maintain an effective business model. Last mile delivery might be the final part of the supply chain, but it is largely recognised to account for more than half of all the delivery costs.
Most businesses, small or large, with the sole purpose of last mile logistics or last mile delivery as a localised service, rely on vans and trucks with internal combustion engines. However, petrol and diesel-powered vehicles are relatively expensive to fuel and maintain and are accompanied by a whole host of other negative traits, such as creating noise and air pollution, by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
With surging online sales (up more than 70% in the UK), and with many consumers putting pressure on the businesses they choose to move towards greener solutions, businesses need to respond.
If your business incorporates last mile delivery as a service, then it is time to reassess and adapt your business model to reflect the demand for greener solutions and maintain profitability and your customer base in a world where final mile delivery is expected to be fast and often free.
Cost Effective Electric Vehicles
Electric fleet last mile delivery vehicles are fast becoming recognised as a cost-effective alternative to the internal combustion engine. The cost-saving advantages of electric vehicles include:
- Batteries are significantly cheaper to produce – The price of batteries per kilowatt-hour has fallen by almost 90% in the last decade, and batteries can now last well over the lifetime range of most vehicles.
- Running costs are substantially lower – The cost of fuelling vehicles with electricity is approximately one-third of that for petrol and diesel vehicles. Many businesses also go one step further and install their own renewable energy source, from wind or solar, to lower energy costs further.
- Lower maintenance costs – With fewer moving parts, equalling tens and not the thousands seen in petrol and diesel vehicles, maintenance costs are lowered by more than two-thirds. The life of wearing parts such as tyres and brakes even have their life extended with regenerative braking as part of the equation,
The key to sustainable eCommerce requires a move away from diesel and petrol vehicles and introducing cheaper and cleaner alternatives. Using electricity to power your last mile delivery vehicles will boost your sustainability efforts by roughly halving CO2 emissions. As more of the electricity grid converts to renewable energy, these benefits will increase.
Optimise Your Deliveries
Delivery giants are often the first to lead the way, and they are already optimising their deliveries by moving towards electric last mile delivery vehicles. Companies such as Amazon, British Mail, DHL, and Ikea, are all leading the way.
ePowerTrucks can help you reduce your last mile delivery costs with utility vehicles that can carry loads of up to 1,450kg and tow loads of up to 4,000kg. With speeds of up to 50mph and a range of up to 120 miles, last mile delivery is ready to be revolutionised.
To discuss how electric last mile delivery vehicles could transform your business, contact our team.