It seems like there’s nothing Woolworths can’t do, whether it was saving 2021 with its famous Chuckles ice cream, exploring unchartered territories like ‘Fish Wors’, and now, giving Tesla a run for its money.
Woolies has recently announced a rollout of electric delivery vans in partnership with DSV and Everlectric, something the retailer has been trialling since last year.
The rollout is set to see up to 70 of its delivery vehicles power reliant on electricity, saving 700 o00 kgs of tailpipe carbon emissions as Woolies projected in a statement.
The announcement from South Africa’s elite wholesaler, whose water is rumoured to make anyone fancier, coincided with World Environment Day on 5 June.
“Last year we announced bold new sustainability goals and ambitions, which included the goal to have ZERO nett carbon emissions by 2040 so we are very much looking forward to being the first retailer in South Africa to embark on such an extensive rollout of electric panel vans to support our growing online business,” added Liz Hillock, Woolworths Head of Online and Mobile.
Woolies has for the last three years invested R1 billion into going digital and adding its latest efforts to reduce carbon emissions through electric panel vehicles, the grocery store is slowly making waves to wrangle climate change.
“To power the vans, electricity will be sourced as far as possible from renewable sources maximising the opportunity to utilise solar at DSV and additional chargers co-located at strategic Woolworths store locations. We will work closely with DSV and Everlectric to plan, position and negotiate the installation of these charging stations to leverage off existing renewable/solar installations co-located at the selected malls/retail locations. Should there be any exception to renewables recharging, DSV and Everlectric will work with an audit firm to procure Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset any indirect grid energy emissions,” Hillock elaborated.
“We see the global renewable energy and electric vehicle trends manifesting, and we know that it is only a matter of time before the existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are replaced by EVs due to their enhanced efficiencies and economic benefits,” confirms Ndia Magadagela, the CEO of Everlectric.
And, if we weigh in the recent fuel hike woes in South Africa, it seems like Woolies is also making a jump into the future.
Ready to get your groceries delivered more environment friendly than ever? You know where to go!
Also read:
Hope for SA’s fuel hikes? Fuel Retailer’s Association set to hold talks
Picture: Woolworths