Aldi Süd is trialling natural gas and electric-powered trucks as environmentally friendly alternatives for its transport and logistics.
The German retailer is partnering with vehicle manufacturer IVECO for the natural gas trucks and with FRAMO for the electric vehicles.
The first natural gas delivery truck will begin operating in the spring of 2018. It will service the regions around Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, specifically, the regional offices in Butzbach, Ebersberg, Aichtal and Langenfeld.
In the summer, the discounter will test an electric truck in Mülheim an der Ruhr and its surrounding areas.
Saving Emissions
"With this test, Aldi Süd continues to pursue its climate protection policy and is committed to saving CO2 emissions in-house," says Andreas Kremer, head of logistics management at Aldi Süd.
The company reports that it has been carbon neutral since the beginning of 2017.
It adds that for many years it has applied modern technologies and optimal route planning in branch logistics in an attempt to reduce vehicle emissions.
The retailer recently encouraged lowering customers' carbon emissions too by partnering with the car-sharing company app2drive, and installing over 100 rental and return points in 43 selected stores.
Aldi Süd states that it positions climate protection as an essential part of its corporate responsibility platform, which aligns with its drive to be more sustainable.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Kevin Duggan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
