Forty traders at Billingsgate Market, London, are taking part in a sustainable deliveries pilot which has resulted in almost 950 fewer vehicle journeys on congested roads in the centre of the capital.
The pilot – a partnership between Ford Pro, the City of London Corporation and DHL Supply Chain – which launched in March, has involved traders at the historic fish market saving time and money by pooling deliveries using a shared fleet of Ford Pro connected vans, including an all-electric Ford E-Transit.
This has resulted in an estimated 37 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from deliveries, helping to reduce air pollution.
Electric vehicle charging has also been installed in the market car park.
This trial is part of the City Corporation’s aim to reduce the environmental impact of its wholesale markets through innovation, including the planned relocation of Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields markets to Dagenham Dock.
Chris Hayward, City of London Corporation policy chairman said: “Our historic wholesale markets have been serving Londoners for hundreds of years.
“This pilot has proved that using different modes of delivery not only reduces emissions and traffic, but can also offer a better service to both our market traders and their customers.”
Hans Schep, Ford Pro in Europe general manager said: “Bringing our expertise to bear alongside that of City of London and DHL Supply Chain has clearly shown how Ford Pro’s software-driven, sustainable solutions are solving problems for our customers – in this case helping the historic fish market combine its deliveries for greater efficiency and to help reduce congestion.”
