Electric two- and three-wheelers are changing the way of life in several Asian and European countries. As a Filipino, I see these changes every day. Just recently my lunch was delivered to me by a guy on an e-bike, otherwise I would have been a petrol scooter driver or motorcyclist to handle the delivery. In fact, the lower operating costs and affordability of LEVs are unmatched.
In Japan, where demand for takeout and home delivery has skyrocketed in recent years, food service businesses have had to step up their delivery efforts to better serve consumers. You may be familiar with the popular CoCo Ichibanya curry house. The company has branches all over the world, making Japanese curry accessible to people from all walks of life. Well, in Japan, the company recently received a batch of new cargo electric tricycles called AA Cargo from Aidea.
With over 1,200 stores in Japan, Aidea’s new AA Cargo electric tricycle not only makes it easier to bring fresh curry to urban and rural areas, but also keeps food fresh and quality. Unlike petrol-powered scooters, the AA Cargo does not require frequent scheduled maintenance as there is no need to change oil, change spark plugs or top up fuel. Instead, all you have to do is charge them during business hours, and with around 60 miles of range on a single charge, you’ll be ready for nearly a full day.
In an article published in Japanese automotive publication Young Machine, Hiroaki Sato, owner of CoCo Ichibanya’s Chuo-dori branch, explained that his store receives 60 to 70 delivery orders a day. Since the average delivery distance is six to seven kilometers from a store, AA Cargo’s fleet of tricycles has allowed him to optimize his delivery schedule while saving a lot of operating costs. In addition, AA Cargo’s good looks and bright CoCo Ichibanya livery serve as a billboard, alerting more and more locals to the existence of this popular curry house.
Last but not least, machines like the AA Caro keep delicate foods like curries and soups fresher better because these machines don’t have vibration from the engine. While they, like all other road vehicles, suffer from road imperfections, their ultra-smooth and quiet operation makes them ideal for use in densely populated urban areas with well-maintained and maintained roads.
In addition to CoCo Ichibanya, Aidea has supplied its AA Cargo electric tricycle to other industry leaders to keep Japan moving forward. Companies such as Japan Post, DHL and McDonald’s are using these electric tricycles to streamline their day to day operations.