IKEA Australia is making a significant investment in dedicated electric chargers for delivery partner fleets at all its stores nationwide.
This initiative aims to support the decarbonisation of the road freight logistics sector by providing essential charging infrastructure for electric delivery vehicles.
In partnership with JET Charge, IKEA will install electric charging and energy management systems for six vehicles at each of its ten stores across Australia. Additionally, its Central Distribution Centre warehouse in Sydney’s Marsden Park will have charging facilities for 28 vehicles.
According to IKEA, the new electric chargers will include both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) options, accommodating the different needs of IKEA delivery partners’ trucks and vans.
The installation will feature 22kW and 20kW chargers for overnight charging and 75kW and 150kW chargers for fast charging.
The installation project, carried out by JET Charge, is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Alexandra Kelly, zero emissions delivery lead at IKEA Australia, said the company is making progress in electrifying its fleet.
“We have made exciting progress with electrifying our fleet, especially in the last 12 months, but we know a significant barrier for our delivery partners being able to make the switch to an electric vehicle is limited access to charging infrastructure,” Kelly said.
“By investing in a national network of dedicated chargers for electric trucks and vans at all IKEA sites, we are providing access to electric charging at the point of fulfilment where orders are being picked up.”
Tim Washington, CEO of JET Charge, said the reliability of EV charging infrastructure is fundamental to the adoption of electric fleets, particularly within the logistics sector where every morning counts.
“We are proud to partner with visionary companies like IKEA to enable them to deliver sustainably and on time for their customers,” Washington said.
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