If you are planning to shop at Swedish furnishing giant IKEA's first India store in Hyderabad this week, it may very well be a 3-wheeler Electric Vehicle dropping off your purchase if you opt for door delivery.

In line with the brand's sustainability vision for its stores across the globe, IKEA is looking to bet big on India's emerging EV growth story. IKEA will unveil its e-Auto at the launch on Thursday, designed by a Hyderabad startup, Gayam Motor Works. Just a little over 20 percent of its delivery fleet at Hyderabad will comprise of these electric autos; a model that will be incorporated across other stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

"IKEA has internally discussed a target of a wholly electric delivery fleet in India by 2023, and is in talks with various OEMs across the country for this," said a senior management official to CNBC TV18.

After successful pilot runs, IKEA through its logistics partner GATI, has currently procured E-Autos from Gayam Motor Works. GMW's vehicles offers a 'battery swapping' mechanism that will enable swapping of charged EV batteries within the minute. "This will be very beneficial to companies who want to opt for Electric vehicles but are concerned about India's EV charging infrastructure," added one of the partners at GMW.

IKEA is even considering charging pods or stations in store campuses, to ensure their target for reliance on electric vehicles is maintained. IKEA co-workers in Hyderabad could also soon be offered an Electric bus option for daily commute to the store.

India is the first market globally where IKEA has launched a 'delivery' option, which comes at an added cost to customers.

IKEA's global management team, lead by CEO Jesper Brodin will arrive in Hyderabad tomorrow, ahead of the store launch on Thursday.

First Published:Aug 7, 2018 5:22 PM IST