foodora and GoCimo Power Up Green Deliveries with Zero Downtime.
foodora forerunner in the Battery Swapping Revolution:
foodora, Sweden's leading food delivery service and part of Delivery Hero, is committed to sustainability and innovation. In the fall of 2023, they partnered with GoCimo to implement electric mopeds with battery-swapping technology in Gothenburg, expanding to Stockholm in early 2024. Today, foodora operates 110 electric mopeds from GoCimo in two of Sweden's largest cities.
“GoCimo’s battery-swapping technology has been a game changer. We no longer worry about downtime or the safety risks associated with traditional charging”, says Daniel Gustavsson Raba, Director Operations at foodora:. “Our couriers benefit from a smoother, safer working environment; without gasoline fumes and engine noise, their daily workspace is much healthier.”
foodora’s challenges in transitioning to an electric fleet
Before adopting GoCimo’s battery-swapping solution, foodora faced several challenges that impacted both its operational efficiency and sustainability goals:
High Cost of Electric Mopeds
The upfront cost of electric mopeds was significantly higher than gasoline-powered alternatives, making it financially difficult to scale the fleet.
Range and Battery Costs
Available electric mopeds had limited range, and the need for additional backup batteries further increased costs.
Downtime Due to Charging
Traditional charging methods reduced fleet efficiency, as couriers either had to stop and wait for batteries to charge or drive to foodoras hubs to change batteries in a traditional, non smooth way, interrupting delivery schedules, planning capabilities, and productivity.
Safety and Space Requirements
foodora was concerned about the potential fire risks and safety issues involved in daily battery charging either at the driver's home or at the foodora hubs. Managing an in-hub charging infrastructure also required space and investment in equipment, which complicated the operations.
Solution:
Electric Mopeds and Station-Based Battery Swapping Infrastructure
In 2023, GoCimo (then GoCiklo) introduced electric mopeds with a battery-swapping system. Instead of waiting for a charge, couriers could swap discharged batteries for fully charged ones in just ten seconds at swap stations across the cities of Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Reduction of Costs Through Rental Model
GoCimo provided a rental model that combined mopeds' cost with a monthly Battery and Swap subscription. This allowed foodora to expand its electric fleet without the burden of large upfront investments.
No Downtime from Charging
The battery swapping system allowed continuous operation of mopeds, with no downtime for charging. Couriers could quickly swap batteries at strategically placed swap stations, ensuring that they spent more time on the road and maximizing their delivery potential.
Improved Safety and Simplified Handling
GoCimo’s battery-swap infrastructure minimized the need for charging equipment and reduced fire risks, addressing safety concerns. Compared to more traditional electric mopeds, the battery handling process is also simplified, reducing the operational complexity for foodora and its drivers.
Results and Success Metrics
Environmental Impact:
foodora will reduce its carbon footprint by 2 tons of CO2 per moped per year, reducing 220 tons of CO2 annually with the current fleet. Particles hazardous to health are reduced to zero, and noise emissions are close to zero.
Increased Operational Efficiency:
With fully charged batteries always ready, foodora can schedule two shifts per moped, enabling couriers to complete more deliveries without charging delays.
Enhanced Safety and Space Efficiency:
The need for charging infrastructure at foodora hubs has been eliminated, and the risk of fire and battery malfunction in their facilities. The solution also frees up space and reduces personnel costs related to charging management.
“This is fantastic. Swapping a battery takes less than ten seconds, so I can keep working without interruptions. And the moped is very quiet and does not break. It makes my work much easier every day..”
foodora Courier feedback
A Future-Proof Model for Fleet Owners
“This battery-swapping revolution offers a clear path forward for fleet managers in the food delivery industry. GoCimo’s solution provides a scalable, cost-effective way to transition to electric vehicles, overcoming common challenges while boosting operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact”, says Mattias Tingvall, CEO of GoCimo; “we are proud to help foodora realize its green ambitions both in Sweden and in Europe.
About foodora:
foodora is a food delivery service, operating in 6 countries in Europe – Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, Norway and Sweden. foodora’s mission is to deliver an amazing, fast and affordable food delivery experience connecting customers with businesses and riders, giving everyone more time to pursue what matters most to them. foodora delivers a variety of products including groceries, household products and restaurant meals in 30 minutes or less. foodora is part of Delivery Hero, the world’s leading local delivery platform.
www.foodora.com