As the world becomes increasingly aware of the negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment, companies and individuals alike are searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One such company is Little Cab, a ride-hailing company based in Kenya.
On Thursday, Little Cab announced a partnership with Carrefour Kenya, a supermarket retailer, to roll out a fleet of e-bikes for use in delivering online orders. This fleet will initially consist of female riders, promoting gender equality in the mobility industry.
Little Cab CEO Kamal Budhabatti stated that the company has been in business for six years and will now “promote e-mobility aggressively.” In fact, the goal is for all of Little Cab’s fleet to be electric by 2026. COO Roy Niladri added that global concern about carbon emissions has led the company to consider electric transportation, and that they will eventually phase out their traditional fleet that relies on fossil fuels.
The e-bike initiative is just one part of Little Cab’s plan to embrace electric transportation. The company is also piloting the introduction of electric scooters and bicycles in Nairobi estates and universities, with the possibility of scaling up to electric motor vehicles if the pilot is successful.
Carrefour Kenya is also committed to reducing emissions and congestion through the use of e-bikes. Franck Moreau, Regional Director of Carrefour East Africa at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, stated that the company aims to have up to 40% of its online deliveries fulfilled using e-bikes by the end of 2022, after a rigorous testing for mileage and efficiency. Moreau added that “micro mobility is the future of last-mile deliveries” and that they are excited to switch to electric motorbikes in order to “lower emissions whilst boosting Kenya’s sustainable development goals.”
The use of e-bikes for deliveries not only has environmental benefits, but it also has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency of the delivery process. E-bikes can navigate through traffic and crowded areas more easily than larger vehicles, making them well-suited for last-mile deliveries. And with the all-female driver fleet, Carrefour Kenya and Little Cab are not only reducing their carbon footprint, but also promoting gender equality in a male-dominated industry.
Overall, the partnership between Little Cab and Carrefour Kenya is a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable and efficient future. As more companies follow their lead and embrace electric transportation, we can work towards a world with lower emissions and a healthier environment for all.