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Woods Foodservice is replacing a third of its vans with electric vehicles.

The new vans are made of recycled and recyclable materials, have solar panels installed, and are estimated to save almost two tonnes in carbon emissions per year.

The vans were made bespoke for the foodservice specialist, and will be in operation by next month.

The wholesaler is also introducing five brand-new 7.5-tonne lorries to be used for longer journeys.

The lorries, the first the company has adopted since its founding, have been introduced to reduce emissions on longer journey deliveries to and from Woods’ new storing depot in Bristol.

It has now replaced 12 of its 36 vans and is aiming to “switch its entire fleet to electric and low-emission vehicles” to continue its sustainability journey, said Woods brand co-ordinator Holly Labbett.

“When we commissioned the vans, we received feedback that we were the first in foodservice to buy a fully recycled and recyclable electric van,” Labbett said.

“The new changes are about making our transport department as sustainable as we possibly can. It’s a big part of our footprint, so where we can make these changes it really helps.”

The wholesaler is aiming to switch its entire fleet to electric vehicles. In the meantime, it has adopted biodiesel to reduce the use of fossil fuels and installed a biodiesel container at its Uxbridge headquarters to facilitate the transition.

Earlier this year, the company replaced cardboard boxes with reusable crates to deliver fresh produce, which can be washed and reused and reduce up to 40% packaging waste.

Woods is also operating fully electric forklifts in depots and has only electric company cars.