UK grocer Co-op has invested £1.5 million in adding more than 50 Toyota Proace City electric vans to its quick commerce fleet.
The retailer is replacing and upgrading its vehicle fleet, and it said the new Toyota vehicles will help contribute to its climate strategy.
Toyota is an established partner of Co-op’s quick commerce delivery operations. The Toyota Proace City electric van can carry a payload of up to 990kg and has a towing capacity of up to one tonne, while all versions have space enough for two Europallets.
Anthony Molloy, Co-op quick commerce delivery & technology manager, said: “We continually explore new and better ways in which we can enhance reliability, extend our reach and better serve our members, customers and communities.
“This investment is another step toward reducing emissions from our fleet and lowering our impact on the climate, so we are delighted to take delivery of our new fleet of electric online home delivery vehicles.”
Neil Broad, general manager for One Toyota Fleet Services, added: “Our Proace City vans are proving the ideal solution for Co-op in its drive to provide prompt, reliable and efficient delivery services to its millions of customers nationwide while at the same time making a sustainable contribution towards achieving the company’s carbon reduction and net zero goals.”
Last month, Co-op announced it had signed a new five-year partnership with Cambridgeshire-based haulier, Buffaload, which runs its lorries on liquefied natural gas.
It’s another example of Co-op looking modernise its fleet and reduce carbon emissions in the process.
The Buffaload vehicles take ambient products from Co-op’s national distribution centre in Coventry to 11 of the grocer’s regional hubs. These sites then deliver to the Co-op store network across the UK.
[image credit: Co-op/Toyota]
