Green Forum • 22 August, 2024 at 9:51 PM
Kaufland Romania will expand its green mobility initiatives by installing new battery swap stations for electric vehicles, in collaboration with e-Mobility Rentals, a Romanian start-up focused on sustainable delivery solutions for businesses.
These new Battery Swap stations will be located in the parking lots of ten Kaufland stores across Constanța, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Brașov, and Timișoara by the end of 2024.
The partnership between Kaufland and e-Mobility began in September 2023, initially in Bucharest, and is now in the process of expanding. Through this collaboration, Kaufland utilizes compact electric vehicles provided by e-Mobility Rentals for its "Kaufland Delivers" service. These vehicles are equipped with swappable batteries that can be quickly replaced at the Battery Swap stations in Kaufland parking lots, ensuring uninterrupted deliveries.
The primary goal of this project with e-Mobility is to facilitate deliveries over short and medium distances, considering the limited range of electric vehicles and the perishable nature of certain foods. The key innovation of this service lies in its method of powering the cars. Due to the compact size of the vehicles, when the battery is depleted, it is directly replaced with a charged one. Spare batteries are stored in specially designated areas within Kaufland parking lots.
"After launching the first national network of electric vehicle charging stations in 2016, Kaufland Romania continues its series of partnerships for greater sustainability. By hosting Battery Swap stations in our parking lots, we aim to contribute to reducing environmental impact, and since the collaboration began in 2023, we estimate that 353 tons of carbon dioxide emissions have been avoided. We are pleased to support e-Mobility Rentals in expanding their innovative ecosystem based on rapid battery swapping across the country and to facilitate new deliveries using eco-friendly transportation for our customers," said Valer Hancaș, Director of Communication and Corporate Affairs at Kaufland Romania.
The development of the Battery Swap station network, which currently includes six cities in Romania, marks an important step in increasing the operating capacity of the electric mobility system dedicated to businesses nationwide. The main benefits of the project include efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly deliveries, contributing to reducing pollution and improving air quality in cities beyond Bucharest.
"With Kaufland's support, we can offer an innovative and eco-friendly option for communities and local or regional businesses. The e-Mobility Rentals solution has already proven its ability to support companies' environmental goals by reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions. With a strong partner like Kaufland, zero-emission transportation becomes much more accessible on a larger scale, allowing us to expand this sustainable ecosystem in Romania," said Alexandru Slavu, COO of e-Mobility Rentals.
E-Mobility Rentals has 12 Battery Swap stations in Bucharest and Constanța, an infrastructure that serves the company's entire fleet of electric vehicles. Additionally, users have access to a mobile app, e-Mobility Rentals, available for iOS and Android systems. It allows them to locate the nearest station, monitor the fleet, and efficiently manage battery swaps.
This service is predominantly used by companies in the food delivery sector and hypermarket chains, with more than half of e-Mobility's fleet rented to players in these industries. According to the start-up's representatives, plans include expansion into ride-sharing companies, retail, and vehicle fleets. Furthermore, collaborations with municipalities, local administrations, or utility companies are also being targeted, which could benefit from the e-Mobility Rentals solution supporting green transport and sustainable cities.