On 8 March, GECA attended IKEA Australia’s panel discussion on ‘Powering the Future of Delivery’. During the event, IKEA announced its commitment to use only electric vehicles for all of its operations and services by 2025, with the roll out starting immediately.
In partnership with transport service providers, the roll out will see electric vehicles (EVs) used for home deliveries and assembly services. IKEA will be the first home furnishing company in Australia to have EV last mile deliveries and assembly services, demonstrating its commitment to lower its carbon footprint.
IKEA is a member of The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative – a global initiative bringing together forward looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to EVs and making electric transport the new normal by 2030. IKEA China has already achieved 100% EV deliveries in Shanghai.
In Australia, there are currently seven IKEA EVs on the road, which are owned and operated by its service partners based in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Team GECA had the opportunity to check out one of these EVs during the launch event.
“It’s wonderful to see IKEA demonstrating leadership in freight and transport, an industry with significant environmental and social costs”, says Sarah Sannen, GECA’s Operations & Finance Manager.
“Further, they are looking beyond their direct operational impacts to the benefits they can offer the community by opening up their renewable energy infrastructure to everyone. The positive side effects of improved working conditions for drivers and the ability to carry more cargo make this initiative truly one for the rest of the industry to follow!”
IKEA aims to reach a 5% EV roll out in conjunction with its partners in FY19, 10% in FY20 and 100% in FY25. Based on the manufacturers’ specifications, one truck is estimated to save 36.3 metric tonnes of CO2 annually.
