Sainsbury's rolls out biggest fleet of electric vans
Elaine Brass
8th December 2009
Sainsbury's is to roll out the UK's biggest fleet of electric vans, purchasing an extra 51 zero emission vans to add to its existing fleet of 20 online grocery delivery vehicles in London.
As a result, according to Sainsbury’s, 60 per cent of its central London customers could have their groceries delivered by the zero emissions vehicles when the vans become operational in 2010.
Sainsbury's has used electric vans in its online shopping delivery fleet since 2006 and the retailer is committed to a target of utilising electric vans for 20 per cent of all online shopping deliveries.
Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury's commercial director, said: "We are absolutely committed to using zero emissions vehicles where possible as they help keep inner city air clean. Also, the electricity used to power them generates around 50 per cent less CO2 than diesel vans. This means that the addition of the new vans will reduce our road transport emissions by around 155 tonnes of CO2 each year."
The ‘Edison Electric’ vans, produced in collaboration with Ford of Europe, are being supplied by Tanfield, the Tyne & Wear based commercial electric vehicle manufacturer. Its subsidiary SEV Group Ltd has won the annual maintenance and service contract to look after Sainsbury’s new fleet.
Darren Kell, ceo of Tanfield, said: "Sainsbury's was one of the first companies to recognise the benefits our technology brings to urban and suburban delivery fleets. When these additional 50 vehicles are deployed, we believe that Sainsbury's will have the largest electric van fleet in the world."
The Edison electric van utilises a Ford Transit chassis to house the Tanfield's electric vehicle technology. The vans use regenerative braking, meaning that drivers can recapture the energy used whilst the vehicle is slowing down to help recharge the batteries.
The 3.5 tonne vans have been modified to meet Sainsbury's specific requirements for its urban online deliveries with each vehicle restricted to 40 miles per hour with a range of 60 miles per day.
The Sainsbury's move follows the introduction of an electric recharge point network at it stores in London earlier this month. The points are situated at 10 stores around the city, allowing customers to charge their electric vehicles free of charge, while they shop.