Parcel delivery company DX Group has invested another £3m to boost its fleet of electric vans for exclusive use in its delivery and logistics partnership with IKEA. The funding, which will see 53 new electric vans added to the fleet, is the group’s second major round of funding in electric vehicles for its IKEA contract.
It follows the launch of an initial tranche of electric vans for IKEA in August 2022, and adds significantly to the existing £750,000 of investment in the IKEA-dedicated electric fleet.
John Welsh, Ikea UK and Ireland fulfilment sourcing manager, said: “As our largest provider of two-person home delivery services in the UK, our partnership with DX is fundamental for IKEA in reaching our 100% zero-emission goals for home delivery. This latest investment therefore brings a significant and very positive development in our journey together.”
The new vans will be operating from six DX/IKEA depots in Heathrow, Milton Keynes, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, and Willenhall. The vehicles are the Maxus e-Deliver 9 marque vans, and have an operational carrying capacity of 1,162kg and a single-charge range of over 219 miles, with zero output emissions. They will be dual-liveried with DX and IKEA branding.
IKEA has been a DX customer for over seven years, and uses the group’s logistics and two-person services in support of its online and retail operations. DX is also IKEA’s largest provider of two-person home delivery services in the UK. This £3m investment is in addition to DX’s wider £20m to £25m three-year, capital investment programme, which is now in its second year.
Investment to date has been focused on depots, equipment including vehicles, and in technology. DX is in the process of increasing the overall number of electric vehicles within its fleet, particularly for deliveries in Central London.
Ian Bolton, DX Logistics managing director added: “We share IKEA’s goal to move to more environmentally-friendly business practices, including the use of electric vehicles for deliveries, and are delighted that, with this investment, we will further reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the highest possible service standards.”
Transport and Logistics Magazine | The Home of Transport Industry News
