[Courtesy of Coupang]
Coupang, popular among busy working people and housewives for its overnight fresh grocery deliveries, rolled out electric delivery trucks in the southeastern parts of South Korea for the first time as an ecommerce delivery service operator in 2019. The ecommerce giant used an electric truck model customized by a domestic EV maker.
Kia Bongo III, which is currently the only mass-produced electric truck made by a South Korean company, was first introduced in 2020. The truck equipped with a 135-kilowatt motor and a 58.8-kilowatt-hour battery capable of driving 211 kilometers (131 miles) on a single full charge attracted many deliverymen and private store operators as local governments including Seoul and its surrounding cities prohibit the entrance of diesel-fueled vehicles into some city parts to reduce air pollution.
Coupang said in a statement on March 21 that the company will expand the distribution of electric Coupang delivery trucks. Specially designed Bongo trucks capable of running a full day schedule after charging for an hour or two will be provided to deliverymen. The enclosed rear compartment has double sliding doors so that deliverymen can easily access parcels from any side.
The trucks are also fitted with a navigation system and dashboard cameras that film the front and rear areas of the vehicle. "Through the adoption of electric Coupang delivery trucks, we will improve our eco-friendly delivery system and protect the environment while providing superior Rocket Delivery services for our customers," Coupang said.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
