Eternal 2x its EV delivery fleet to over 1 lakh active EV riders in FY26

Eternal’s food-delivery platform Zomato and quick-commerce business Blinkit hosted the third edition of their EV Bazaar in New Delhi, bringing together 2,500 delivery partners, more than 20 electric vehicle manufacturers and other ecosystem participants. The event was designed to help delivery workers explore electric two-wheelers, compare models, take test rides and learn about rental, financing, charging and battery-swapping options.

Held at KD Jadhav Stadium, the event highlights Eternal’s efforts to expand electric-vehicle adoption across its delivery network. As of September 30, 2026, more than 200,000 delivery partners across Zomato and Blinkit were using electric two-wheelers, according to the company. Electric vehicles powered 228 million deliveries across the two platforms in FY26, avoiding an estimated 9,926 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, Eternal said.

Key takeaways

• 2,500 delivery partners attended the third EV Bazaar in New Delhi.
• More than 20 EV manufacturers participated, showcasing over 30 electric two-wheeler models.
• Over 200,000 delivery partners across Zomato and Blinkit were using electric two-wheelers as of September 30, 2026.
• EVs powered 228 million deliveries in FY26, with Eternal estimating that they avoided approximately 9,926 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• More than 23,000 delivery partners used the platforms’ EV rental feature during FY26.
• Zomato’s dedicated EV rental fleet had deployed more than 1,500 electric two-wheelers across Delhi and Chennai by March 2026.
• The initiative is intended to address practical barriers to adoption, including upfront vehicle costs, access to charging, battery swapping and financing.

What is Zomato and Blinkit’s EV Bazaar?

EV Bazaar is an annual event organized by Eternal’s Zomato and Blinkit to connect delivery partners with companies that manufacture, rent, finance, charge and service electric two-wheelers.

The third edition brought delivery partners into direct contact with electric-vehicle manufacturers and service providers. More than 30 electric two-wheeler models were showcased, giving attendees an opportunity to compare vehicles and understand their suitability for delivery work.

For delivery partners, choosing an electric vehicle involves more than comparing purchase prices. They need to consider battery range, charging time, vehicle reliability, maintenance costs, financing arrangements and the availability of charging or battery-swapping facilities in their working areas.

The event was designed to help workers evaluate those factors before committing to a purchase or rental arrangement.

The initiative also reflects a broader change in how delivery platforms approach electrification. Instead of relying exclusively on awareness campaigns, platforms are connecting workers with companies that can provide the vehicles and supporting services required to make the transition practical.

More than 200,000 delivery partners use electric two-wheelers

Eternal said more than 200,000 delivery partners across Zomato and Blinkit were delivering orders using electric two-wheelers as of September 30, 2026.

The company also reported that electric vehicles powered 228 million deliveries during FY26, with estimated emissions avoidance of approximately 9,926 tonnes of CO₂. These are company-reported figures; the emissions estimate should be understood as Eternal’s assessment rather than an independently verified measurement.

Electric two-wheelers are relevant to delivery operations because they can reduce dependence on petrol and potentially lower operating costs for workers who travel frequently.

However, the benefits depend on the economics of each vehicle. Battery replacement, financing, charging access, rental payments and vehicle utilization can influence whether an electric two-wheeler is cheaper to operate than a petrol-powered alternative.

For workers who complete many deliveries, fuel savings may be important. But if a vehicle has insufficient range, requires long charging breaks or is expensive to finance, those savings may be reduced.

That is why access to a suitable vehicle and dependable charging infrastructure matters as much as general awareness of electric mobility.

EV Bazaar brings manufacturers and delivery workers together

The event included more than 20 electric-vehicle original equipment manufacturers and ecosystem partners, with more than 30 electric two-wheeler models on display.

Delivery partners could examine different vehicles, compare features and explore how each model might fit their daily work. They could also learn about charging infrastructure, battery swapping, rental arrangements and ownership options.

This direct interaction can help address a practical information gap. Electric two-wheelers designed for private commuting may not necessarily meet the needs of workers who travel long distances or complete repeated trips throughout a shift.

Delivery-focused users need to assess range under real-world conditions, charging time, battery durability, payload requirements and maintenance support.

Manufacturers and service providers also benefit from meeting potential customers who use their vehicles intensively. Feedback from delivery partners can help companies understand which features matter most in commercial last-mile operations.

The event therefore serves both as an awareness initiative and as a point of contact between the delivery workforce and the electric-mobility industry.

Rental options aim to reduce upfront costs

One of the biggest barriers to electric-vehicle adoption is the initial cost of purchasing a vehicle.

For delivery partners who depend on daily earnings, buying an electric scooter may require savings, a loan or another financing arrangement. Workers may also be reluctant to commit to a vehicle before understanding how well it performs under their particular working conditions.

Eternal’s delivery-partner apps offer a “Rent a vehicle” feature that allows workers to rent electric two-wheelers without paying the full purchase price upfront. The feature also helps them locate nearby charging and battery-swapping stations within their delivery zones.

According to Eternal, more than 23,000 delivery partners used the feature to rent electric vehicles for deliveries during FY26. The figure measures users of the rental feature, not necessarily the total number of unique workers using electric vehicles across the platforms.

Rental arrangements can reduce the initial financial commitment and give workers an opportunity to assess an electric vehicle before deciding whether to purchase one.

However, renting is not automatically cheaper. The total cost depends on rental charges, the duration of use, charging expenses, maintenance responsibilities and the number of deliveries completed.

For workers considering the switch, comparing the full cost of operating an electric vehicle with that of a petrol-powered two-wheeler remains important.

Zomato launched its own EV rental fleet in 2025

Eternal has also developed a dedicated electric-vehicle rental initiative through Zomato Local Services Private Limited.

The company launched the fleet in June 2025. By March 2026, more than 1,500 electric two-wheelers had been deployed across Delhi and Chennai, according to information shared around the EV Bazaar event.

The fleet complements the rental options available through third-party partners by increasing access to electric vehicles in selected markets.

Delhi and Chennai provide an operating base for the initiative, but expanding the model elsewhere would depend on vehicle availability, local demand, charging infrastructure and the economics of running the fleet.

The model also illustrates the range of services needed to support electrification. Providing vehicles alone may not be enough; workers need convenient charging, servicing, battery support and arrangements that fit their earning patterns.

A rental fleet can help reduce the upfront cost of adoption, but its long-term success depends on whether the vehicles remain available, reliable and affordable for delivery work.

Charging and battery swapping are central to adoption

For delivery partners, time spent charging a vehicle can affect the number of orders they complete.

A petrol-powered two-wheeler can generally be refuelled quickly at a fuel station. Electric vehicles require access to charging facilities, while some models can use battery-swapping networks that replace a depleted battery with a charged one.

The most suitable arrangement depends on the vehicle, local infrastructure and the worker’s delivery schedule.

Eternal’s rental feature allows delivery partners to locate charging and battery-swapping stations within their delivery zones. That information can help workers plan routes and identify facilities near their operating areas.

EMO Energy, the event’s powered-by partner, said its battery technology and charging solutions are intended to reduce downtime and improve vehicle availability. Its claims relate to the company’s technology offering and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of performance across all vehicles or operating conditions.

For electric two-wheelers to become practical for high-frequency delivery work, charging facilities must be accessible, dependable and compatible with the vehicles being used.

Government officials highlight energy security and pollution

Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, attended the event as chief guest. Jitender Patil, identified in event coverage as head of the Maharashtra Transport Department’s EV Cell, also attended, along with former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan.

Ahmed said electrification of transport was important for India’s energy security and air-pollution control. He also highlighted how greater EV adoption among delivery partners could encourage the expansion of charging, battery-swapping and servicing networks.

The policy rationale extends beyond the delivery sector. More electric vehicles on the road could reduce petrol consumption and tailpipe emissions, although the overall environmental impact also depends on electricity generation, battery manufacturing, vehicle lifetimes and end-of-life battery management.

Delivery fleets are a relevant segment because their vehicles can accumulate substantial daily mileage. That can make operating-cost savings and emissions reductions particularly meaningful when vehicles are used intensively.

At the same time, a successful transition requires investment in infrastructure and vehicles that can meet the practical demands of commercial use.

Delivery partners receive electric-vehicle awards

The third EV Bazaar also recognized delivery partners participating in the transition to electric mobility.

Three delivery partners received new electric two-wheelers, while another received a one-year free rental plan from the event’s EV partner network. Other selected delivery partners were recognized with mementos for their performance.

These awards were intended to encourage participation and highlight workers who contribute to the shift toward electric mobility.

Such incentives can help generate interest, but sustained adoption will depend on the everyday economics of using an EV. Delivery partners will need vehicles that remain reliable, provide adequate range and help them manage operating expenses without disrupting their work.

The broader challenge is to make electric mobility a financially viable option rather than simply an environmental aspiration.

How EV adoption could affect delivery economics

The transition to electric two-wheelers could influence both worker expenses and platform operations.

For delivery partners, potential benefits include lower energy costs, reduced exposure to petrol-price changes and possibly lower routine maintenance requirements. Those benefits vary by vehicle and operating conditions, and they must be weighed against rental payments, financing, battery replacement and charging costs.

For platforms, a larger electric-vehicle network could support sustainability targets and help develop partnerships with manufacturers, financiers and charging providers.

However, EV adoption does not automatically improve delivery-partner earnings. Earnings also depend on order availability, distance travelled, incentives, waiting times and the number of hours worked.

The best measure of success will therefore be whether workers can use electric vehicles reliably while maintaining or improving their net earnings after expenses.

The Bigger Picture

Zomato and Blinkit’s third EV Bazaar shows how India’s delivery platforms are attempting to connect electric-mobility ambitions with the financial and operational realities of gig work. Bringing manufacturers, rental providers and charging companies together can help workers compare options and understand the practical requirements of switching to electric two-wheelers.

The larger transition will depend on more than events and awareness campaigns. Affordable vehicles, convenient charging, dependable service networks and financing that fits workers’ incomes will determine how widely electric two-wheelers are adopted. For Eternal, the challenge is to expand EV use while ensuring that the transition remains workable for the delivery partners who keep its businesses running.

Looking Ahead

Eternal’s reported 200,000-plus electric-vehicle delivery partners and 228 million EV-powered deliveries in FY26 provide indicators of the scale already reached by its electrification efforts. Future disclosures on EV adoption, rental usage, operating costs and emissions will help show whether these initiatives are expanding beyond the current network and delivering sustained benefits.

The next phase will also depend on the wider electric-mobility ecosystem. Manufacturers must supply vehicles suited to intensive delivery use, financiers need to provide affordable options, and charging or battery-swapping providers must ensure reliable access. If those elements come together, electric two-wheelers could become a more practical choice for India’s last-mile delivery workforce.