As part of its policy to renew fleets towards electrification, MercadoLibre announced the inclusion of vehicles with these new technologies in Brazil and other Latin American countries, with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint and making its operations more efficient.
The e-commerce and financial services company will double its electrified fleet in the region by 2022. By the end of December, the company expects to add more than 500 new vans to its fleet, which will start operating in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
With this investment, the electric network will grow from 548 to more than 1,000, all 100% electric vans and light trucks, with a range of about 200 km and an approximate payload capacity of 650 kg.
This action is part of MercadoLibre‘s sustainability strategy, which invests in measuring and reducing the impacts of its
Resource Base
The new investment is the result of the issuance of a US$400 million sustainable bond, raised in 2021 to promote triple-impact projects: reduction of the environmental footprint through the use of renewable energies.
It also includes energy efficiency, sustainable packaging and mobility, and regeneration and conservation of biomes; financial inclusion, by facilitating credit to micro and small businesses and entrepreneurs; and social development and empowerment, through which education is promoted to reduce the digital divide and include young people in the Latin American labor market.
At the end of 2021, USD 62 million (15.5%) were invested on these fronts.
MercadoLibre is closely monitoring the supply of technology and fuels from renewable sources, which will enable it to expand its fleet.
In Brazil, for example, the company also complements its fleet with gas, natural gas and biomethane vehicles, which emit less polluting gases compared to those powered by diesel.
