Australia: Coles pushes for sustainability with first electric delivery truck

The retailer will implement its new “Fuso eCanter” truck for stock delivery throughout its stores across the New South Wales region.

Coles has unveiled its first electric-powered truck for deliveries. The retailer partnered up with Linfox Logistics to enhance its sustainability efforts through a trial of the “Fuso eCanter” truck for stock delivery throughout its New South Wales stores.

The vehicle is powered entirely by 100% renewable electricity, and delivers groceries from Coles’ Eastern Creek Distribution Centre in Sydney’s west to a number of Coles and Coles Local supermarkets in New South Wales. The electric truck, a first for the brand, will avoid more than 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year.

“Coles’ first electric truck is a big step to introducing alternative fuel technologies to our supply chain, and we are excited about the opportunity to see more electric vehicles delivering groceries to our distribution centres and supermarkets in the future. By working with Linfox, we have considered the sustainability of the truck, from its carbon footprint when operating, to the end-of-lifecyle impacts on the environment,” said David Clark, Head of Transport Safety & Sustainability – Supply Chain for Coles.

Coles customers with electric vehicles can also enjoy the benefits and convenience of charging their cars while they shop at some Coles supermarket and Coles Express sites. At the end of FY21, Coles had delivered electric-charging stations at 12 supermarket sites, and two additional Coles Express sites.

Through Coles’ Together to Zero strategy, the retailer is committed to creating a greener future for generations to come through its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, sourcing 100% renewable electricity by the end of FY25 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.