What is the name of your organization?
GridZero Logistics.
What is the name of your solution?
GridZero Logistics.
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Swappable solar battery stations for e-motorbikes, reducing emissions and optimizing delivery efficiency in urban Africa.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
TZA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
—
What specific problem are you solving?
The specific problem we are addressing is the high carbon footprint and inefficiency of last-mile delivery in urban Africa. Currently, many small courier and food delivery companies rely on motorcycles and traditional petrol/diesel vehicles, contributing significantly to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and rising fuel costs. In cities like Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, the rapid growth of e-commerce and urbanization has caused a surge in demand for delivery services, which only exacerbates these challenges.
Globally, transportation accounts for nearly 14% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with a large portion attributed to last-mile delivery. In Africa, where logistics networks are still developing, delivery costs and fuel inefficiencies are major barriers to economic growth.
Our solution provides an alternative by introducing swappable solar battery stations for e-motorbikes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, cutting emissions, and making deliveries more efficient. This will not only improve the sustainability of the delivery sector but also increase income opportunities for workers by reducing the operating costs associated with traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
What is your solution?
Our solution, GridZero Logistics, provides swappable solar battery stations for e-motorbikes used in last-mile delivery. It is a B2B model targeting small courier and food delivery companies, primarily in urban Africa.
The system works by offering delivery drivers access to solar-powered battery stations where they can quickly swap out depleted batteries for fully charged ones. This eliminates the need for refueling with diesel or petrol and ensures that e-motorbikes can operate without long downtimes. Additionally, AI-powered software optimizes battery routes, ensuring that the batteries are distributed effectively across delivery zones.
This model is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, reducing fuel costs and cutting carbon emissions, while also offering a scalable solution suitable for rapidly growing urban areas. The key technology includes solar energy infrastructure, smart battery management systems, and AI-powered route optimization software. This creates a cleaner, more efficient delivery system, benefiting both the environment and the income of delivery workers.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
GridZero Logistics serves small courier and food delivery companies, particularly those operating in urban Africa. These businesses typically rely on fuel-powered motorbikes for last-mile deliveries, contributing to high fuel costs and carbon emissions. The delivery workers, often underpaid, also face challenges such as long refueling times and the lack of sustainable energy solutions.
Our solution directly impacts the lives of delivery workers by providing an affordable, clean, and efficient alternative to fossil fuels. By using solar-powered battery stations, workers can reduce their operating costs, increase their income, and minimize environmental harm. The AI-powered route optimization further boosts efficiency, ensuring that battery swapping stations are always accessible and well-distributed.
Additionally, the solution benefits small businesses by offering them a low-cost, reliable way to shift to clean energy while maintaining high productivity levels. This addresses both economic and environmental needs, improving livelihoods and contributing to the broader adoption of sustainable transportation solutions in urban settings.