Ikea Australia is trialling making customer deliveries in metro areas by two electric tuk-tuks as it looks for ways to reach zero emissions company-wide.
The two electric tuk-tuks, both powered by 9kWh swappable batteries, will deliver parcels within a 10km radius of Ikea Tempe until August 16.
Tiffany Mosura-Lesnock, manager for Ikea Tempe, said electric vehicles are “shaping the future of delivery” around the globe.
“Working closely with our transport partner ANC Delivers, we are excited to trial and test innovative methods that help get us closer to our goal of 100 per cent zero emission deliveries.”
The retailer says the introduction of electric tuk-tuks in Australia presents a “unique opportunity” to reduce air pollution, traffic emissions and the number of vans and trucks on city streets.
Mo Abbas, group executive for strategy & marketing for ANC Delivers – Ikea Australia’s transport service provider – said the company is on board as an “early adopter” in the partnership.
“We have a bias towards action rather than waiting for incentives to increase the viability of a greener fleet,” said Abbas.
“With more people living in medium or high-density housing and 8.1 per cent of households in capital cities not owning a vehicle, we face new delivery, emissions, and urban mobility challenges in an environment where consumers are looking for more sustainable options.”
Ikea has been trialling other innovative zero-emissions vehicles across the globe, including solar bikes in London, electric rickshaws in India, cargo bikes in Madrid, barges down the Seine in Paris, and now electric tuk-tuks in Australia.
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