Marks & Spencer has introduced 85 zero or lower emission vehicles to its supply chain logistics fleet, as part of its ambition to be net zero by 2040.
In the fleet are five zero-emission battery electric HGVs which will operate between M&S’ clothing & home distribution centre in Welham Green, and 30 stores across London and the south east, including Oxford Street and Bluewater. The 42-tonne battery electric Renault trucks will directly replace equivalent diesel trucks.
The supermarket in September took delivery of 30 new vehicles that run on compressed natural gas for its clothing & home business, part of a trial with vehicle manufacturer Iveco. The trial will test the lorry’s reliability, fuel economy and green credentials. The retailer also recently introduced 50 compressed natural gas vehicles to its food logistics business Gist as part of its food supply chain transformation. The compressed natural gas lorry cabs are powered by biomethane, a sustainable renewable fuel derived from waste products including food, animal manure and waste water, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85% compared with a diesel engine.
Once the 85 vehicles are in operation, almost 10% of M&S’ total transport fleet will be powered by zero or lower-emission solutions, according to the retailer.
“Adapting our logistics network is vital in achieving our Plan A net zero ambitions,” said Julian Bailey, head of group transport at M&S. “We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and through collaboration we are able to reduce carbon, save energy, and drive operational efficiencies across the business.
“By trialling new vehicle technologies, we’re able to deliver our products, which are sourced and made with care, to our depots and stores with a lower impact on our planet.”
Earlier this year, the retailer announced a string of new investments in “collaborative, pioneering projects” in sustainability, funded through its Plan A accelerator fund. Initiatives include a trial producing green hydrogen through electrolysis technology using wind and solar power generated on farms to replace fossil fuels.
Some £1m was distributed via the fund last year, including a trial asking customers to donate their unwearable clothes to Oxfam to be cleaned and used to support fibre to fibre recycling, where fibres are reused and turned into new material. The money also funded a trial using AI data to predict a store’s optimal heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls to reduce energy consumption. Trialled across six stores, the aim is to reduce HVAC costs by up to 30%.
M&S launched its “industry-leading, fully integrated sustainability plan” – Plan A – in 2007, “well before most mainstream businesses were thinking about sustainability” it said.
Of the lower emission fleet, Lilian Greenwood, future of roads minister, said the retailer’s move was “fantastic”.
“We’re working with business to lead the charge towards innovative zero-emission vehicles,” she said. “That’s why it’s fantastic to see M&S add five zero-emission electric lorries to their fleet thanks to our £200m to roll out large zero-emission trucks – the biggest investment of this kind in the world.
“This comes on top of our £2.3bn boost to help industry and consumers switch to electric vehicles, harnessing the transition to net zero by supporting jobs, attracting investment and making Britain a clean energy superpower.”
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