This photo, provided by convenience store chain CU on April 22, 2021, shows an electric delivery vehicle, which the company has introduced for the first time in the country’s related industry.
SEOUL, Nov. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A shortage of urea water solution resulting from Chinese export restrictions is expected to expedite the process of introducing electric cargo trucks in the logistics and retail industry.
Hanjin Transportation Co., the logistics arm of Hanjin Group, has been testing electric/hybrid delivery vehicles on Jeju Island since December of last year, testing the vehicles’ fuel efficiency, maximum driving distance and battery performance prior to setting detailed plans for their introduction.
CJ Logistics Corp. currently runs 19 electric vehicles used by delivery staff hired directly by the company.
The company plans to increase the number of electric vehicles by 34 trucks by the end of this year, and replace most vehicles with eco-friendly ones by 2030.
Retailers, too, are turning their eyes to electric vehicles. Hyundai Department Store, a major department store chain, is now undergoing assessments of a short-range food delivery service that has been in testing since July of last year.
SSG.com, an online mall arm of Shinsegae Group, also runs around 10 electric trucks to deliver fresh food.
Those in the industry believe that the an increase in use of electric vehicles, along with better infrastructure for charging, will expedite the process of replacing delivery vehicles with electric ones.
Many of the delivery trucks, however, are not owned by the company, but by subcontractors, making it harder for companies to roll out electric replacements.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
