麻豆传媒

Around the world, delivery fleets must answer a question that will transform the way they operate: how can they transport more goods while reducing their environmental impact?

Demand for last-mile delivery is growing rapidly. By 2024, global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $6 trillion (up from $5 trillion in 2022).¹ However, with light commercial and passenger-carrying vehicles contributing nearly half of transport鈥檚 total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (more than shipping and aviation combined), decarbonisation is also a critical priority.²

The question of how to balance the two dominated conversations at this years鈥� Future Mobility Asia exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand 鈥� including the panel I featured on, 鈥楪reening Asia鈥檚 Last Mile Transport & Delivery Fleet鈥�.

Discussing the topic with other industry leaders provided some important insights into the steps fleet owners can take to operate more productively and more sustainably. So, here are some of the key talking points that last-mile delivery fleets need to know鈥�

Our recent 鈥楴avigating Fleet Decarbonisation鈥� research carried out with Deloitte, shows that more than two-thirds (68%) of fleet owners expect the pressure to decarbonise 鈥� from regulators, customers and their own employees 鈥� to increase over time.³

This means that working towards net-zero emissions fleet operations will be an essential element in meeting consumer demand. As the study highlights, fleets must move away from seeing decarbonisation as a differentiator and view it as central to their ability to operate.

Fortunately, there are opportunities for businesses to drive productivity and sustainability. For example, the growth in charging infrastructure across Asia is quickly making electric vehicles (EVs) an increasingly competitive alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

When looking to unlock these opportunities, it is important for fleet owners to understand their individual carbon footprints. This enables them to create a tailored roadmap for their decarbonisation journey 鈥� one that meets the specific needs of their wider business.

Adopting a structured approach to the identification and implementation of any solutions needed along the way is also essential 鈥� whether that includes electrification support, advanced telematics or carbon compensation.

Data has a crucial role to play in delivering on this approach. Providing insights into every area of a fleet鈥檚 operations, it drives the decision-making process, informs decarbonisation goals and helps to identify the solutions needed to drive progress. From here, fleet owners should then be looking to build relationships with providers who can offer guidance and advise them on their next steps.

There is a lot for last-mile delivery fleets to achieve, and 鈥� just as with their day-to-day operations 鈥� they need to move quickly. It is also clear that when asking how fleets can drive operational efficiency while achieving their decarbonisation goals, the answer will be different for every business.

To understand what the question means for their business and to find their unique answer, fleet owners need to build strong and effective relationships with mobility and energy solutions providers who can help them navigate the complex road ahead.

¹ _{Forbes. 鈥淢anaging The Complexities Of Last-Mile Delivery.鈥� 2022.}

² _{IEA. 鈥淕lobal CO鈧� emissions from transport by subsector 2000-2030.鈥� 2021.}

³ _{2022 Shell, Deloitte. 鈥淣avigating Fleet Decarbonisation: A Guide to Driving a Successful Transition.鈥� 2022}