Uber Eats brings e-cycles for delivery in Sri Lanka

Uber Eats, Sri Lanka’s most loved food and grocery delivery platform, recently brought on board 100 electric cycles on its platform. 

The e-cycles launched as ‘Voltage Edition’ are manufactured by Lumala, the country’s largest cycle manufacturer and have been especially designed for deliveries. They have a range of up to 100 kilometers and top speed of up to 30 kilometers per hour. Uber Eats was the first platform to introduce cycle deliveries in Sri Lanka last year. 

The e-cycles can cover longer distances than regular bicycles and are easier to maintain than traditional motorbikes. The cycle battery charges in four hours: this makes delivery downtime minimum and reduces expenses versus fuel costs. By making it easier to cover a bigger delivery distance radius with lesser effort, delivery partners will be able to potentially make more deliveries and earn more. The initiative is a step forward towards Uber Eats’ global vision of moving all trips to sustainable mobility by 2040. 

The announcement was made at an event held recently where Uber Eats sponsored e-cycles worth Rs.42 million for 100 most engaged delivery partners. Ninety of these delivery partners were previously using petrol-powered motorbikes while the other 10 were using regular bicycles. The company will also facilitate a 30 percent discount on the purchase of Lumala e-cycles and 15 percent discount on spare parts for delivery partners on its platform. 

Power and Energy Minister for Sri Lanka Kanchana Wijesekera graced the occasion as the chief guest, congratulated Uber Eats on its sustainability focus and gave away the e-cycles to select delivery partners. He was joined by guest of honour US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Cheng along with Uber Senior Director Public Policy and Government Relations Asia Pacific Region Mike Orgill and Uber Eats Sri Lanka Interim General Manager Pivithuru Kodikara, among others.  

Commenting on the announcement, Orgill said, “We’re committed to Sri Lanka and are continually bringing the best that Uber Eats has to offer to the country. After becoming the first platform to introduce cycle deliveries, we’re onboarding customised e-cycles today in line with our global vision to move to sustainable mobility by 2040. We will soon add e-scooters and e-motorbikes for deliveries as part of our efforts to promote sustainable mobility in the country.”