Last-Mile Delivery in Uruguay Goes Electric with Swapy Project

Highlights

• Swapy introduces a battery swap model to improve last-mile delivery efficiency in Uruguay.
• 60 electric motorcycles and six swapping stations to reduce 1,380 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over eight years.
• REIF and Banco Santander funding combines public and private resources to promote sustainable mobility.

UNIDO has launched a new initiative to help Uruguay advance its Second Energy Transition.

This programme is part of the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF) and involves coordination with the Resident Coordinator´s Office, UN Women, UNDP, and national partners.

As part of this plan, REIF and Banco Santander formed a partnership to finance Swapy, the country’s first motorbike battery swap project.

Read More: EIF Invests €75 Million in Sustainable Transport, Energy Transition

Swapy introduces an electric mobility model for the last-mile delivery sector using a Hardware as a Service (HaaS) system. Under this subscription-based model, riders can replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in under a minute.

This setup increases operational autonomy and reduces the downtime normally associated with traditional charging methods.

The pilot phase includes 60 electric motorcycles, 200 batteries, and six strategically located swapping stations. It aims to maintain delivery operations, cut carbon emissions, and reduce operating costs.

The project received 30% co-financing from REIF and 70% from Banco Santander. Over eight years, it is expected to prevent approximately 1,380 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. In line with REIF’s gender approach, 33% of the project team are women.

Also Read: Vietnam Accelerates Green Energy Transition for Net-Zero 2050

Martín Piñeyro, Head and Co-Founder of Swapy, said the project aligns with ESG principles, which are increasingly sought in the global market.

He also noted that technical assistance from REIF helped build capacity and long-term sustainability.

Ignacio Rivela, Head of Green Finance at Banco Santander Uruguay, said: “Sustainability is at the core of the bank’s strategy. Projects like Swapy directly contribute to our commitment to sustainable development. In Uruguay, they also provide essential local know-how to further expand our portfolio of green initiatives.”

Ends/

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Source: UNIDO