How EVs Empower Delivery Partners and Drive Sustainable Grocery Logistics

The article has been contributed by Pushpank Kaushik, CEO & Head of Business Development (Subcontinent, Middle East and Southeast Asia) at Jassper Shipping.

In the past five years, India’s grocery landscape has undergone a digital transformation. Fuelled by rising smartphone usage, the spread of 4G networks, and a pandemic-induced shift in consumer behavior, online grocery delivery has emerged as a staple in urban and semi-urban households. As per RedSeer Consulting, India's online grocery market is projected to reach $26 billion by 2027, up from just $3.8 billion in 2021. Platforms like Blinkit, BigBasket, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart are not only promising convenience, but also altering consuming patterns.

At the heart of this hyper-efficient system are delivery partners, the unsung heroes who bridge the last mile between warehouses and doorsteps. They guarantee on-time delivery despite erratic traffic, weather, and infrastructure obstacles while frequently working under extreme time pressure.

The Evolving Grocery Delivery Landscape

The expectations from grocery delivery platforms are shifting rapidly. Consumers now demand:

• 10-minute deliveries in metros
• Flexible delivery windows in tier-2 cities
• Live tracking, real-time communication, and cashless payments

To meet these expectations, platforms rely on micro-warehouses (dark stores), real-time inventory tracking, and geo-optimization tools. But none of this technology matters without human mobility specifically, the delivery partner on two wheels.

A new class of gig workers has emerged, driven by flexible work hours and quick payouts. In 2023 alone, it’s estimated that over 2.5 million Indians worked as delivery personnel across food and grocery platforms. A problem is experienced by these workers—demand is increasing, but so are their expenses, especially for fuel.

Challenges Faced by Delivery Partners Today

Despite being the backbone of the logistics chain, delivery partners grapple with several pressing challenges:

• High Fuel Costs:  With petrol prices hovering between INR 95– INR 110/litre in major cities, two-wheelers often incur a fuel expense of INR 250–INR 400/day, eating into their daily earnings.
• Income Insecurity: Many partners do not receive fixed incomes. Earnings are incentive-driven and vary depending on demand, delivery zones, and platform restrictions. After fuel, maintenance, and service expenses, net daily profits may decrease to INR 400- INR600.
• Lack of Benefits: Most partners are classified as gig workers and lack health insurance, accident coverage, or retirement benefits.
• Mental and Physical Fatigue: Long working hours, harsh weather, and traffic congestion all contribute to weariness, accidents, and burnout. According to an Aajeevika Bureau report from 2022, over 55% of delivery workers reported working more than 10 hours per day, often without breaks.

How EVs Are Transforming E-commerce Delivery with Sustainable Solutions

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Electric Vehicles: A Viable Game-Changer

Given the rising operational costs and climate concerns, electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) are being hailed as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Electric vehicles (EVs) bring major benefits  for delivery partners. Such as : 

• Low Cost Maintenance and Fuel: The biggest benefit is lower fuel costs—charging an EV costs only INR 10–INR 15 a day, compared to INR 250–INR 400 for petrol two-wheelers. Additionally, because EVs have fewer moving parts, require less maintenance, and have lower repair costs, maintenance is less expensive.
• Higher Earnings: Partners can increase net monthly income by INR 4,000–INR 6,000 through fuel and maintenance savings. A NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) study found that delivery partners using EVs could increase their net monthly earnings by INR 4,000–INR 6,000 due to fuel and maintenance savings. As with average monthly earnings of INR 25,000–INR 30,000, along with medical benefits and weekly offs, the reduced operating costs of EVs allow for better take-home pay.
• Government Support: Support is being provided by the Indian government through the FAME-II scheme, which gives subsidies of up to INR 15,000 on electric two-wheelers, making them more affordable for gig workers.
• Less Fatigue, More Deliveries: Smoother, quieter EV rides reduce physical strain, while fewer breakdowns and faster maintenance help delivery partners complete more orders in a day.
• Vehicle Option: EV 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers offer delivery partners greater flexibility in cargo capacity and delivery types. This enables more efficient service for diverse customer needs, while benefiting from lower operating costs and environmental advantages. As a result, earning potential and job opportunities are expanded.
• Improved job satisfaction and wider access: Lower costs and improved working conditions improve morale and retention, while affordable electric vehicles make delivery jobs more accessible to women and marginalized groups.

A Gender-Inclusive Opportunity

Interestingly, the EV movement in last-mile delivery also opens doors for greater gender inclusion. Women presently account for fewer than 2% of India's gig delivery workers. Barriers include the following:

• Safety concerns during travel
• Lack of access to two-wheelers
• Social stigma around riding petrol bikes or working late hours

EVs being quieter, lighter, and often more compact can help lower the entry barrier for women. Pilot initiatives have been introduced by Zomato and BigBasket to train and onboard women delivery partners. Leased EVs, safety equipment, and fixed routes are being provided. Gender-focused training sessions and onboarding drives are also being held in Pune, Bengaluru, and Jaipur by NGOs in partnership with EV-sharing startups.

An electric mobility transition can be not just green, but inclusive if paired with structural support for safety, flexible work hours, and micro-financing.

The rapid growth of online grocery delivery is transforming urban and semi-urban India but it risks overburdening the very workers who power it. For delivery partners, switching to electric vehicles (EVs) presents an opportunity for tangible, quantifiable improvements in their everyday lives in addition to environmental benefits.

However, this transition will only succeed through coordinated action. Quick commerce platforms, policymakers, and EV providers must work together to expand charging infrastructure, offer affordable financing options, ensure reliable repair services, and, most importantly, include delivery workers in decision-making. True sustainability in last-mile delivery depends not just on cleaner vehicles but on fairer, more supportive conditions for those who ride them.