Mer Fleet Services has completed an EV charging installation for Wren Kitchens and Bedrooms at its Barton upon Humber depot in North Lincolnshire.
The move, which supports the retailer’s programme of initiatives to achieve Net Zero by 2030, will support the arrival of ten Mercedes-Benz eActros600 electric HGVs – each capable of covering up to 500km on a single charge.
The eHGVs introduction to Wren’s most demanding inbound logistics routes will ensure more than 90% of its Scope 1 carbon emissions are reduced across its supply chain operations.
At the centre of the new infrastructure is a triple Kempower Power Unit powering six individual satellite chargers. The system uses a distributed power architecture to dynamically share available power between eHGVs, optimising Wren’s ability to recharge vehicles between shifts, while also enabling rapid top-up sessions during operations.
Central to Mer’s approach was prioritising operational efficiency for Wren, rather than simply routing infrastructure to the most convenient location from an installation standpoint.
Mer’s final design positioned the chargers at the most practical point in the depot for the fleet itself. The satellite chargers were also specifically aligned with the HGVs’ charge port position in the bay to allow charging with a trailer in place, “removing friction from daily operations”, the company said.
Lee Holmes, Transport and Logistics Director at Wren Kitchens, said:
“The arrival of our first Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks is a landmark moment in our sustainability journey. These are among the most advanced and safest heavy goods vehicles on the road today and by deploying them on our raw material routes we are removing fossil fuels from the very heart of our supply chain.
“Partnering with Mer was a natural fit given their expertise and they’ve played a key role in helping us deliver the infrastructure needed to support the arrival of the new eHGVs.”
Dan Robinson, Strategic Sales Manager at Mer Fleet Services said:
“This installation reflects how Mer approaches every fleet project. We make the infrastructure work around the customer’s operation, not the other way around. In total we laid nearly 2km of cabling to get the chargers in exactly the right place for Wren’s eHGVs, which made the project more complex, but ultimately delivered exactly what Wren needed. This is what a long-term partnership looks like in practice. It has been a pleasure to work with the Wren team on this project.”
Image courtesy of Mer Fleet Services
