Sainsbury’s begins electric van trial

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2019   |   Author: Sean Keywood

Sainsbury’s is trialling the use of electric vans, having added one to its fleet for online grocery deliveries.

The LDV EV80 chassis cab will be used across central and east London, making up to 30 deliveries a day.

The retailer claims this is the first use of an electric home delivery van by a UK supermarket.

The expected range is around 80 miles on a single charge, and carrying weight is said to be the same as a diesel vehicle.

Deliveries will be made from the Sainsbury’s Online Fulfilment Centre in Bromley-by-Bow, with recharging overnight.

A second electric van, a BD Auto e-Ducato, a Fiat Ducato converted by BD Auto, will also join the trial next month, with the prospect of others to follow if they are successful.

Both vans are running a Carrier Neos refrigeration unit, and have been box converted by Lawrence David.

Sainsbury’s group chief digital officer Clodagh Moriarty said: “We’re always looking at how we can use the latest innovations to best serve our customers and this trial will help us explore how we can deliver Sainsbury’s groceries in a more environmentally-friendly way.”



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