Retailer B&Q is accelerating its progress towards hitting its Scope 1 and 2 net zero target by 2040 with the introduction of new electric delivery trucks.
Two heavy-goods electric vans (HGVs) have been delivered, with a third arriving in early 2025, which will be integrated into B&Q’s home delivery fleet. The firm also has plans to add smaller electric vans for more local deliveries in the new year, it said.
The vehicles will play a “significant role” in B&Q’s commitment to focusing on improving energy efficiency and using alternative energy sources, with the trucks expected to make 12 to 14 deliveries per day, it said.
The introduction of the vehicles into the fleet is part of B&Q’s commitment to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which includes the legal requirement that 10% of new van sales in 2024 must be zero-emissions, rising to 70% in 2030 and 100% by 2035.
It will also support B&Q’s broader mission to achieve net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040.
The electric HGVs will cover the nationwide Home Delivery Network, as well as supporting B&Q’s Showroom network, where larger deliveries range include kitchens and bedrooms.
B&Q plans to add more electric vehicles to its fleet in 2025, which already includes the second largest Liquified Natural Gas fleet in the country. It is also trialling alternative ways of delivering products to home, such as its trial in Milton Keynes with DPD UK to deliver customers’ orders to home using autonomous robots and its partnership with Deliveroo which aims to deliver customers’ purchases within 25 minutes.
Amélie Gallichan-Todd, B&Q Supply & Logistics Director, said:
“We’re working hard to improve our fulfilment services to give our customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered.
“Our aim is to give customers more choice of speed and location whilst, at the same time, fulfilling our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment, and the introduction of these electric trucks into our fleet is another step towards our transition to alternative fuels.”
