Lidl Switzerland has announced that it has joined forces with Empa to develop a system that generates fossil-free fuel from excess renewable electricity.
The project will see the development of a power-to-gas system that will convert surplus energy generated from water, sun and CO2 to fuel.
The retailer added that it is to invest a six-digit sum in this project, without disclosing the exact amount.
Member of the management board of Empa and head of its mobility, energy and environment, Brigitte Buchmann, said, "The CO2 emissions of long-distance and heavy goods traffic are very relevant. We are looking forward to having found another partner in Lidl Switzerland on the way to fossil-free goods and goods transport."
Lidl Switzerland will use this fuel for its delivery and supply trucks.
'Sustainable Logistics'
Head of logistics at Lidl Switzerland, Ueli Rüger, added, “By the end of 2022, we will be able to fill up a Lidl truck with 100% fossil-free, local fuel at the facility.
"This enables us to gain initial experience with this technology and pave the way for sustainable logistics.”
The retailer has pledged to switch to fossil-free fuel for its supply trucks by 2030.
It has already invested in infrastructure for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as part of its ‘Goodbye Diesel’ project.
This infrastructure is to be operated with renewable gas in the future, which implies that fossil diesel can be replaced in heavy goods traffic without compromise, the retailer added.
Empa is a research institute for materials science and technology that aims to offer sustainable solutions for future generations.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
