By Michael Elkins
Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA announced today a £4.5 million (£1 = $1.2431) 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 EV infrastructure forms part of IKEA’s ongoing transformation to become even more affordable, accessible, and sustainable as it aims to reach 100% zero emission deliveries to customers by 2025.
The investment marks one of the biggest EV charging infrastructure projects for last mile fleets in the U.K. and will see IKEA install 196 chargers, 53 of which will be rapid. The chargers will be located at IKEA stores across the country, as well as the new Dartford customer distribution centre due to open in spring 2023.
This move is essential to the furniture retailer’s goal to continue expanding the electric vehicle fleets being used to deliver to customers’ homes.
“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.” Said Jakob Bertilsson, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager at IKEA U.K. & Ireland.
“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 centers by 2025, as well as supporting our ambition to become a climate positive business by 2030.”
Transport Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said, “It is great to see IKEA investing heavily in EV chargepoints 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."