Picup Technologies will next year start to provide electric mobility solutions to its driver network, all of whom are independent contractors, for deliveries within a five-kilometre radius in selected urban environments.

Picup Technologies, a Karooooo subsidiary, is an on-demand, last-mile delivery provider.

“Our plan is to kickstart the project next year. We’ll manage the roll-out based on the traction we see with the network,” says Picup CEO Antonio Bruni.

Picup’s clients include PnP asap!, Dischem, Nando’s, McDonald’s, Absolute Pets, OneCart and iStore.

Picup believes that electric scooters and three-wheelers “will significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with short-distance logistics”, while maintaining the network’s “fast and efficient delivery times”.

“Over the past two years, our electric vehicle (EV) pilot projects have given us critical insights into what it takes to scale a sustainable electric fleet,” notes Bruni.

“By prioritising high-quality bikes, advanced batteries, and dependable charging infrastructure, we are ready to bring this vision to life.

“Our customers and the public will soon see Picup EVs on the road, a testament to our commitment to greener, smarter logistics.”

Picup’s EV journey began two years ago with the piloting of electric scooters from its head office in Cape Town.

These trials provided valuable insights, by enabling the company to select high-quality electric bikes, says Bruni.

“It also helped us to invest in enhanced battery technology, prioritising long-lasting batteries to ensure optimal uptime to cover sufficient range and minimal charging interruptions.

“We have also developed charging infrastructure, strategically placing charging points to support fleet operations and rider efficiency. This includes charging facilities at our client sites.”

These pilot projects equipped Picup with the expertise needed to deploy EV solutions countrywide at scale, while maintaining exceptional service quality, adds Bruni.

As part of its electrification drive, Picup is also piloting a partnership with MellowVans, the developer of a South African-designed and manufactured three-wheel EV tailored for urban deliveries.

These compact vehicles are being tested for milk-run deliveries, where multiple orders are consolidated along a single route, thereby optimising efficiency and reducing environmental impact.