Sainsbury launches 100% electric delivery fleet in Nine Elms

Sansbury’s has recently announced that its Nine Elms superstore in London will now deliver to customers using a 100% electric fleet. 

Delivering to 145,000 households, the Nine Elms delivery fleet is made up of 12 vans, with both the vehicle and fridge units powered by electricity, meaning they will not emit carbon emissions, dust, dirt or smoke into the air. 

The new vans will also operate much more quietly, helping to reduce noise pollution as well.

The superstore makes over 2000 deliveries on average every week, covering approximately 1760 miles, so the new electric vans will help save 57 tonnes of carbon annually. 

The change is part of the retailer’s transition to operating a fully electric fleet in all its stores by 2035, in line with its decarbonisation goals. 

Patrick Dunne, director of property and procurement at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re thrilled to have launched a fully electric fleet in our Nine Elms superstore and we hope our customers will be delighted to learn that their groceries are being delivered with zero emissions, helping to reduce the environmental impact of their online shopping. 

“Last year, Sainsbury’s introduced LED lighting across its entire estate, reducing lighting energy consumption by an average of 70%. It also announced the launch of Sainsbury’s Innovation Investments, which will see a minimum of £5m invested over the next four years into start-up businesses commercialising innovative, sustainable technologies that look to reduce operational carbon emissions.”

Dunne concluded: “Sainsbury’s currently operates with 100% renewable electricity and by the end of 2023 the retailer projects that up to 40% of its electricity will come from new-to-the-planet wind and solar power.”