Panel SA: Retailers increase tuk-tuk and bicycle fleet for small deliveries

Large retailers intensify investments in electrifying their fleets for smaller deliveries.

Via, owner of Casas Bahia, Ponto and Extra.com.br, will add electric tuk-tuks to its network of vehicles for the delivery of light goods in the so-called last mile.

The pilot project, initially implemented with six vehicles in the South zone and in the center of São Paulo (SP), is part of the plan to implement the initiative gradually and should be expanded to the entire country.

Americanas, which started electrification in 2021, currently has an eco-efficient fleet with 343 vehicles, of which 180 are utility vehicles, 61 tuk-tuks and 86 bicycles, all electric.

In addition to electric modes, the company added 16 trucks powered by biomethane and natural gas, in addition to conventional bicycles, to its fleet.

Magazine Luiza, which last year adopted VUCs, electric urban cargo vehicles, in its operations, also began testing deliveries with tuk-tuks and electric bicycles.

According to Ana Luiza Herzog, corporate manager of reputation and sustainability at Magalu, there is still no forecast of when the project will be on the streets.

With almost the entire fleet outsourced, the company wants to encourage its transporters to migrate to electric vehicles.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins and Gilmara Santos