Ordering groceries at Coles Online has just got greener thanks to the addition of the supermarket's first fully electric delivery van that, from now on, will complete up to 240 orders a week in Flagstone, Queensland.
The delivery van, named Sparky by Coles team members, will emit less emissions than petrol-powered vehicles and save up to $170 on fuel each week.
The EV will also be quieter to run than other combustion engine vehicles and won't be required to idle or run the engine when not in motion to keep groceries at optimal temperature, reducing up to three hours of emissions each day.
The new addition comes as Coles pledges to install electric fridges in 500 of its delivery vans following a successful trial that ran earlier this year. The vans will operate up and down Australia's east coast, emitting fewer emissions and reducing running costs.
With Coles Online orders now delivering to 95 percent of the Australian population seven days per week, the supermarket is proud to offer a more sustainable way for households to receive groceries.
Coles General Manager of Online Network and Growth James Geddes said the new EV delivery van will support Coles in achieving its target of reducing scope one and two emissions by more than 75 percent by 2030.
"We are proud to introduce our first fully electric vehicle to our Coles Online delivery vans fleet. Making around 40 deliveries to customers daily, the EV is a quieter, more efficient vehicle that produces fewer emissions than a petrol-powered vehicle," said Geddes.
"We are uniquely positioned to introduce more sustainable ways of delivering groceries to our customers. We look forward to using the insights gained from this trial to welcome more electric vans to our growing nationwide fleet soon."
The initiative is in partnership with Custom Fleet, which is proud to help support Coles achieve its sustainability ambitions, maximise efficiency and meet customer demand for more environmentally friendly delivery options.
Chris Tulloch, CEO of Custom Fleet, said the company was happy to partner with Coles on this positive sustainability initiative.
"These vans have zero tailpipe emissions and offer a reduction in noise pollution. They also need less maintenance and are more comfortable to drive due to less vibrations," said Tulloch.
In addition to the new electric delivery van, Coles has partnered with Linfox to trial an electric-powered truck in the retailer's Supply Chain that will avoid more than 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.
Coles has also partnered with Toll Group and Nexport to trial the first electric yard tractor in its Supply Chain. Capable of nearly 24-hour continuous operation and delivering zero emissions, the yard tractor is currently operating at a Coles Distribution Centre in Melbourne.
Coles also introduced ten online delivery vans equipped with solar-powered electric fridges in Victoria and Queensland.
