Ikea investing £4.5m to charge electric fleet

Ikea is investing £4.5 million in electric vehicle (EV) charge points for its electric delivery vehicles to enable more emissions-free deliveries.

The new infrastructure, says Ikea, will source energy entirely through renewable sources. 

The retailer aims to reach 100% zero emissions deliveries by 2025 using a fleet of 500 EVs, with 60% of its deliveries zero emission by summer 2023.

Ikea will install 196 chargers, of which 53 will be rapid, providing full charge on vehicles in under an hour.

Jakob Bertilsson, country customer fulfilment manager at Ikea UK and 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.”

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, with the first ones fitted and operational in Ikea Cardiff.

Ikea’s fleet charging infrastructure is being implemented in addition to existing customer charging points in its stores.

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."

To build the nationwide infrastructure, Ikea is partnering with Mer, a European charging company owned by Statkraft, which is Europe’s largest renewable energy producer.

Mer will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation and ongoing management and maintenance.

Natasha Fry, head of sales at Mer UK, said: “Ikea is an iconic brand with a recognised commitment to sustainability. When they needed future-proof charge points for their zero-emission, last-mile fleet, they wanted to work with a partner who shares these ambitions.

“We look forward to supporting the IKEA team and, importantly, its customers in making sure last-mile deliveries are efficient and emission free.”