Belgian retailer Colruyt Group has rolled out electric delivery vehicles (EDVs) for its online grocery service, Collect&Go.
Collect&Go will gradually replace all CNG vehicles from its fleet with electric vehicles, the retailer added.
The initiative will help Colruyt Group achieve its goal of making all transport across the group emission-free by 2035.
The new Ford E-Transit vans have a larger volume than CNG vans, the retailer noted.
'Climate-Friendly Vehicles'
Tom Malfroid, logistics manager at Collect&Go commented, “In the long run, we want everything to be fully electric. That means we can serve more customers while using climate-friendly vehicles.
“Increasing efficiency is ingrained in our group, as is looking for green solutions. By using electric vans, we kill two birds with one stone.”
The company has built a new charging plaza in its distribution centre in Londerzeel, and has installed fast chargers to ensure that the delivery vans are ready for the road in 20-30 minutes between trips.
Electric Cargo Bike
In April of this year, Collect&Go introduced an electric cargo bike at its collection point in Ghent.
Delivery drivers can use the cargo bike free of charge to deliver groceries to customers in their neighbourhood.
The cargo bike is provided by Bike Republic, Colruyt Group's bicycle specialist, the retailer noted.
“For Collect&Go, we also want the last mile, i.e. the last few kilometres to the customer, to be travelled as sustainably as possible,” Malfroid added.
The retailer has also launched autonomous vehicles in Londerzeel as it seeks to increase efficiency in the fresh foods section for the Collect&Go service.
