IKEA shows that zero-emissions logistics is possible

When you have any fleet there is no getting around that it has an impact, both on the environment and on the bottom line. So it makes sense to do anything to reduce that impact, especially if there are advantages that benefit the community as well.

IKEA outsource a large fleet of commercial vehicles involved in the delivery of their products across the country and with that usually comes with a significant carbon footprint.

IKEA however are about to hit a major milestone by achieving 90% of their deliveries completed by zero-emission vehicles. They are on track to hit this mark by the end of this year by the implementation an aggressive green fleet utilisation policy,

With 98% of delivery vehicles owned by small businesses or subcontractors. IKEA have been working with EV infrastructure specialists and financiers to entice their delivery partners to seek green alternatives to the traditional diesel trucks.

In 2019 IKEA became the first home furnishing retailer in Australia to use electric vehicles for home deliveries and assembly services. Today 83% of IKEA Australia deliveries are now completed by zero-emission vehicles with the 90% mark on target to be achieved over the last weeks of 2025.

Importantly, in partnership with JET Charge, an Aussie company, created in in Victoria in 2013 offering charger infrastructure and EV support services they have also installed dozens of chargers across 7 sites nationally to support those delivery vehicles of their logistics partners.

“This project proves that zero-emission logistics isn’t just possible – it’s scalable. By building intelligent, fit-for-purpose infrastructure, we’ve given delivery partners the reliability they need on the road and IKEA the visibility to lead real emissions reductions across its supply chains. It’s a blueprint any retailer can follow.” – Tim Washington, JET Charge CEO and co-founder.

Over 100 vehicles are utilising the 59 chargers at selected IKEA sites in NSW, Victoria, Canberra and Brisbane with plans to extend this to more sites and also to allow customers to take advantage of the convenience of charging while shopping by implementing the Chargefox billing system at all charging sites.