Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Future E-Commerce Landscape: Challenges & Advantages

Abstract

The E-commerce landscape has seen a paradigm shift with an increasing demand for door- step delivery and even same day delivery. The convenience of shopping over a handheld mobile devise from the convenience of one’s preferred location is a major driver for the phenomenon growth, development, and expansion of online shopping. The COVID pandemic led lockdowns acted as catalysts expediting this expansion. But with this progress came the menace of rapid expansion of delivery trucks, vans, 3-wheelers, and 2-wheelers that increased not only the congestions within the cities but also added massively to the already deteriorating air quality. Pollution (both air and noise) and congestion, are the two immediate fallouts of the expansion in delivery fleet. This made the fleet owners and businesses turn to the obvious alternative – EVs or electrical vehicles that have the potential to not only cut down harmful emissions but also enhance financial and operational efficiencies. Modern businesses cannot help but improve efficiencies in order to sustain in an immensely competitive and dynamic business environment. This article adds to the literature on EVs and generates insight into the practicability of adopting EVs in the last mile logistics. It highlights that despite being both environment and pocket friendly, the benefits of economy and efficiency looks futile in the face of inadequate availability of charging infrastructure that heightens range anxiety.