Mober welcomes government move for zero tariffs on electric vehicles
Metro Manila-based tech-logistics startup Mober has joined forces with Swiss coffee brand Nespresso, recognized as the world’s most sustainable coffee company in 2021, to reduce their carbon footprint through the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for ground delivery. Mober began delivering Nespresso products from its warehouse to stores in December 2022, showcasing the companies’ commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
“Our goal is to drive the transition to zero-emission mid and last-mile delivery in the Philippines,” said Dennis Ng, CEO and founder of Mober. “By switching to EVs, Nespresso will annually eliminate hundreds of tons of CO2 emissions, and this is just the start for us.”
Mober’s endeavors have been made easier with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approval of zero tariffs on EVs, encouraging consumers to adopt cleaner and greener modes of transportation. This opens up new opportunities for Mober to support more retailers and businesses as they transition towards green fleets.
As a pioneer in EV delivery in the Philippines, Mober invested in its first electric delivery fleet in October 2021, providing companies with a net-zero mandate with an environmentally-friendly option. The company currently operates a fleet of 20 EVs and e-trucks, serving a variety of clients including IKEA for last-mile delivery, Nespresso for warehouse-to-store delivery, and SM Appliance Center for same-day delivery.
Mober’s electric vans can travel up to 230 km, while the range of its electric trucks extends to 280 km, providing versatility to meet a wide range of logistical needs. The EVs run on fast-charging lithium-ion batteries, emitting zero carbon dioxide compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. In addition, EVs require less maintenance and have lower operating costs, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run. Companies can partner with Mober instead of purchasing their own EVs to decarbonize their fleets.
Ng emphasized that these features enable the company to operate at a higher level of efficiency, further reducing its carbon footprint. “Measuring the CO2 offset for our EV fleet serves as a constant reminder for businesses looking to go green to consider switching to EVs as soon as possible,” said Ng. “This will also help us gather data for future use and reach our net-zero goal target.”
The future of EV deliveries
According to the Philippine Energy Plan, the Department of Energy predicts that electric vehicles (EVs) will make up 10% of all registered vehicles in the country by 2040. Mober, a logistics company, is contributing to this goal by replacing traditional delivery vehicles with EVs in order to reduce air pollution.
Mober’s CEO, Ng, stated that by deploying 300 EV delivery vehicles, the company could achieve 1,542 tons of annual carbon reductions, equivalent to the carbon savings from a 1 MWp solar PV project. Currently, a delivery driver commuting 200 km per day and consuming 16.4 liters of petrol per day emits 40.2 kg of CO2. But, with the use of a single Mober EV delivery vehicle, daily CO2 emissions can be reduced by 14 kg, or 35%.
Mober’s goal is to promote sustainable transportation in the Philippines by making the switch to environmentally friendly logistics operations. The company plans to have 100 EV units on the road by the end of 2023 and to become the largest green logistics company within five years.
