Zomato-parent Eternal reworking 2030 EV delivery target amid fleet expansion, EV adoption

Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, is reevaluating its 2030 goal of a fully electric delivery fleet due to rapid business growth and an evolving EV landscape. Chief Sustainability Officer Anjalli Ravi Kumar stated that while the company remains committed to electrification, the original deadline may not be realistic given the significant expansion of its operations.

In an interview with PTI, Kumar explained that the company now has 12 million monthly active riders, up from 1.5 million when the target was set. This expansion, coupled with government policies, will influence the revised target date, which may be set as early as 2035. The company is actively working towards a revised deadline, taking into account the availability of electric vehicles, government policies, and the transportation needs of its various businesses.

Despite challenges, Eternal's delivery fleet already has higher EV adoption rates than the Indian two-wheeler market, with 12-13% of partners using EVs compared to the market's 6-7%. The company's approach encourages partners to adopt EVs through incentives, rental options, and awareness initiatives, rather than mandating specific vehicle choices.