Ikea has today [20 April] announced a £4.5m investment in a nationwide electric charging infrastructure, which will provide charging points for electric delivery vehicles across the country to enable more emissions-free deliveries.
The new infrastructure will source energy entirely through renewable sources and forms part of Ikea’s ongoing transformation to become even more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. The retailer aims to reach 100% zero emissions deliveries to customers by 2025. By summer 2023, the furniture retailer plans to achieve 60% zero emission deliveries in the UK and Ireland, demonstrating it move towards the 2025 goal.
This will be one of the biggest EV charging infrastructure projects for last mile fleets in the UK and will see Ikea install 196 chargers, of which 53 will be rapid, providing full charge on vehicles in under an hour. The chargers will be located at stores across the country, as well as the new Dartford customer distribution centre due to open in spring 2023, with the first ones fitted and operational in Cardiff.
Ikea said this move is fundamental in allowing it to continue expanding the EV fleets being used to deliver to customers’ homes, with the ambition to reach over 500 by 2025, with the charging points will be used by both Ikea and partner electric vehicles.
This infrastructure is being implemented in addition to the existing customer charging points at stores. Our customer charging points are available for customers to use during their visit to Ikea, the points were introduced to provide access to more sustainable travel for customers. With the introduction of a home delivery infrastructure, Ikea is building a complete offer for customers to have products arrive sustainably to their homes, no matter how they choose to shop.
Jakob Bertilsson, country customer fulfilment manager at Ikea UK & Ireland, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Ikea, and we are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the planet while supporting our customers to live more sustainable lives at home.
“Investing in this infrastructure of nationwide charging points is a fundamental step in our ambition to reach 100% zero emissions customer deliveries from all Ikea stores and distribution centres by 2025, as well as supporting our ambition to become a climate positive business by 2030.”
Ikea added its commitment to rolling out an EV charging infrastructure will advance the UK government’s ambitions to achieve its legally binding targets of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, building on their response to the Skidmore Review. The investment from Ikea has been welcomed by the government.
Transport decarbonisation minister, Jesse Norman, said: “It is great to see Ikea investing heavily in EV charge points and decarbonising its vehicle fleet.
“This investment is the latest example of businesses and government working together to decarbonise all aspects of road transport, improve air quality and create healthier, buzzing communities.”
