Around the world, EVs are being utilised throughout FMCG, particularly in supermarkets and grocery stores. Here are some news highlights from these major grocery players that see an increase in charging stations for customers and electric delivery fleets.
Australia
Coles unveiled its first electric delivery truck with transport partner Linfox Logistics in April this year. The Fuso eCanter truck is used in West Sydney. Woolworth's first EV, Eve, was trialled in 2018 and was Australia's first 100 percent electric heavy rigid vehicle. In 2019 a second EV joined the fleet, and in 2021 a third was added; the Volvo FL Electric was one of two in all of Australia and 75 worldwide.
South Africa
In June this year, Woolworths South Africa announced the rollout of electric vehicles to 70 percent of its delivery fleet following a ten-month trial. Delivery vans will be utilised in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town in partnership with logistics company DSV.
"We are very much looking forward to being the first retailer in South Africa to embark on such an extensive rollout of electric panel vans to support our growing online business," said Liz Hillock, Woolworth's Head of Online and Mobile.
UK
Tesco currently has the top spot for UK supermarkets with EV charges. They partnered with Volkswagen in 2018 to deliver the UK’s largest charging network, with free charging bays at 500 Tesco stores. The company also introduced its first zero-emission electric delivery truck in August this year.
“This is part of our wider commitment to addressing the environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities. We want to be the leading Electric Vehicle energy provider and to support our customers with more sustainable solutions. Our EV network provides a sustainable choice for our customers, and charging while they shop is another little help to make their lives easier,” said Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK and ROI.
Asda, Morrisons and Lidl trail behind with the number of EV chargers at supermarkets, and the most recent partnership was between Shell and Waitrose to install chargers at 100 Waitrose stores.
USA
In July this year, Walmart announced the purchase of 4,500 EVs to expand its last-mile delivery fleet in a partnership with Canoo, with vehicles hitting the road in 2023. To date, the nation's largest supermarket, Kroger, had over 350 chargers installed across ten states, and 7-Eleven is on track to have at least 500 EV ports across 250 US stores.
Europe
Coca-Cola European Partners has successfully transitioned to having over half of its fleets electric in Norway, Sweden and Germany. Shell and Tesco have formed a partnership in Hungary for more than 100 Tesco stores to have charging stations installed by 2025. Coop is using an electric truck in its Rotterdam supply chain and has rolled out charging stations with Intermache in Poland.
