Coles first fully electric delivery van, named Sparky, will emit less emissions than petrol powered vehicles and save up to $170.00 on fuel each week. Coles Online orders now deliver to 95 per cent of the Australian population 7 days per week.
The EV is able to complete up to 240 orders a week in Flagstone, Queensland, and will be quieter to run compared to other combustion engine vehicles and won’t need to idle or run the engine when not in motion in order to keep groceries at optimal temperature, reducing up to 3 hours of emissions each day.
Sparky has arrived following the introduction of ten online delivery vans equipped with solar-powered electric fridges in parts of Victoria and Queensland. Coles also pledged to install electric fridges in 500 of its delivery vans following a successful trial that ran earlier this year.
Coles general manager of online network and growth James Geddes said the new EV delivery van will support Coles to achieve its target of reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 75 per cent by 2030.
“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.
“We are in a unique position 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 fleet around the country soon,” Geddes said.
The initiative is in partnership with Custom Fleet, who is working with Coles to maximise efficiency and meet customer demand for more environmentally friendly delivery options.
In addition to Sparky, Coles is working with Linfox in the trial of 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 near 24-hour continuous operation and delivering zero emissions, the yard tractor is currently operating at a Coles Distribution Centre in Melbourne.
