Electrifying The Last Mile Delivery: Hero Electric To Convert Shadowfax's Fleet Into EVs

Hero Electric, India’s electric two-wheeler company this week announced its partnership with Shadowfax Technologies, India’s crowd sourced platform for last-mile deliveries under which Hero is set to assist Shadowfax in converting 25% of its 100K strong delivery fleet into Electric Vehicles (EVs).

The logistics and the last-mile delivery segments are growing at an unprecedented pace and make for an appropriate reason for a green mobility shift to cut emissions.

Shadowfax distributes the e-commerce load, generates revenue and provides training and monitors the performance of the delivery partners of franchisee holders, franchisees are also provided with a training program and given access to their employee resource planning portal.

The press release stated, “Also, with the Government’s push to convert combustion engine vehicles used in the delivery segment to EVs, Hero has been fronting the switch through multiple B2B partnerships. Expanding the EV ecosystem, the two-wheeler manufacturer will continue such collaborations to attain the mission ‘Zero Emission’.”

Shadowfax is one of India’s largest hyper local delivery platforms. This young startup provides speedy, secure and conventional deliveries. Shadowfax’s investors are Flipkart, 8 Eight Roads, IFC, MIRAE Asset, NGP Capital and Qualcomm Ventures.

How can you start a Shadowfax franchise

You can be associated with Shadowfax and get hands-on training in managing the franchise to provide swift logistics solutions. The franchise partnership is a seamless and swift process where delivery personnel of franchisee partners pick up shipments from our allocated points and deliver them to the customer's doorstep.

What costs are incurred by the franchisee?

Having an effective technology infrastructure such as laptops, printers and delivery personnel are some facets that the franchisee has to possess. As a small business or as an aspiring business owner you can grow with Shadowfax and channel the growth of one of India’s leading logistics brands into your business with Shadowfax franchise partnership programme. As a franchise partner this programme is an extension of the Shadowfax last mile pick-up and delivery network and for those entrepreneurs willing to run their own pick-up and delivery business and serve as long term last mile partners would really work well.

A small business owner with the ability to set up basic necessary infrastructure and staffing to manage pick-up and delivery operations and with an understanding of their local geography is eligible to become a partner. With our economy moving towards the EV revolution the entire process takes 12-15 days. After a thorough evaluation process, Shadowfax picks a Partner who is appointed exclusively to the specific mutually agreed pin code geography.

Cost involved becoming a franchise owner?

There is a security deposit amount ranging from INR 1-5 lakhs refundable without interest or a similar amount of bank guarantee. If you’re a professional in the delivery business, it’s likely that you already have the necessary infrastructure in place. If not, setting up the necessary requirements might incur initial start-up costs like office space, IT assets, etc.

Shadowfax also provides virtual and physical training. You’ll also have access to online training content for future reference. This training explains the daily operations which will involve adhering to basic operational processes-receiving bags at centers, sorting of parcels, dispatching them to customers for successful deliveries along with reverse pick-ups from customers. Additionally, daily compliance on cash deposition and audits are mandatory. All status updates will be monitored using our technology platform.

The Franchise will not be an exclusive franchise. A business owner is free to run other parallel businesses. Sub-franchising of operations is strictly prohibited and defaulters are to invite strict action. Now the question is how a partner will be paid. A partner payment is done on a per-parcel basis, every month. Shadowfax team raises invoices, and upon acceptance by the partner, payments are processed further. Coverage of partnership in terms of how many areas, city and state can a partner cover will vary with the partner. Reliable, long-term partners are encouraged to expand serviceability and take on larger areas. The tenure of the agreement is a permanent agreement, which is revised and renewed annually. The franchisor here retains the right to terminate a contract with a partner subject to the partner not meeting required performance and compliance standards.