Home furnishing retailer IKEA has committed £4.5 million to build chargepoints in one of the UK’s largest private EV infrastructure projects for last mile fleets.
The company will install some 196 chargepoints at its stores across the UK, including 53 rapid chargers that will provide full charge in under an hour.
Chargers will also be fitted at the new Dartford customer distribution centre that is due to open in spring 2023, with the first to become operational in IKEA Cardiff.
Mer, the charging company owned by Statkraft, is responsible for the end-to-end implementation and ongoing management and maintenance of the network.
Jakob Bertilsson, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager at IKEA UK & Ireland, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at IKEA, and we are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the planet while supporting our customers to live more sustainable lives at home.
“Investing in this infrastructure of nationwide charging points is a fundamental step in our ambition to reach 100% zero emissions customer deliveries from all IKEA stores and distribution centres by 2025, as well as supporting our ambition to become a climate positive business by 2030.”
Natasha Fry, Head of Sales at Mer UK said: “IKEA is an iconic brand with a recognised commitment to sustainability.
“When they needed future-proof charge points for their zero-emission, last-mile fleet, they wanted to work with a partner who shares these ambitions.”
