Popular supermarket Coles is showing off its newest addition to their delivery fleet, a fully electric delivery van. Sparky, dubbed by Coles team members, will make 240 deliveries in Flagstone, Queensland every week.
Coles has a target to reduce emissions by more than 75% within the next seven years. These vans will work perfectly to accelerate this goal. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also reduces costs significantly.
Sparky will emit less emissions than petrol powered vehicles and save up to $170 on fuel each week. The electric van (EV) will be “quieter to run, compared to other combustion engine vehicles and won’t require idle, or run the engine when not in motion in order to keep groceries at optimal temperature,” said Coles in a statement. This will reduce up to three hours of emissions each day.
Coles delivering groceries in more sustainable way
The supermarket has also just pledged to install electric fridges in 500 of its delivery vans. Ten of the online delivery vans have also been equipped with solar-powered electric fridges in parts of Victoria and Queensland.
The Coles vans fill the streets every single day of the week, but will now be going greener to help with a more sustainable way to deliver groceries.
“We look forward to using the insights gained from this trial to welcome more electric vans to our growing fleet around the country soon,” said Coles GM James Geddes.
“We are proud to introduce our first fully electric vehicle to our fleet of Coles Online delivery vans. Making around 40 deliveries to customers each day, the EV is a quieter, more efficient vehicle that produces fewer emissions than a petrol-powered vehicle,” said Geddes.
Sparky might soon get a more friends and big brothers
Coles is in a trial period, testing out an electric-powered truck. It partnered with Linfox to see if its possible to avoid more than 60 tones of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.
An electric yard tractor in the supply chain is also on the cards. Coles is partnering with Toll Group and Nexport for the trial of this tractor. If found successful the tractor will be capable of making deliveries around the clock with zero emissions. It’s currently operating at a distribution center in Melbourne.
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