IKEA Belgium adds seven electric trucks for home deliveries

IKEA Belgium is ramping up its sustainability efforts by introducing seven new electric trucks for home deliveries. The move aims to modernize its logistics operations.

Built by Volvo Trucks in Ghent, these vehicles will handle large orders, such as kitchens and wardrobes, reinforcing the retailer’s commitment to eco-friendly transportation.

The purchase of the electric trucks amounts to a €2 million investment. It is part of a broader €6 million initiative over the past year to electrify both IKEA Belgium’s own fleet and that of its local logistics partner, VPD.

The trucks’ range is 350 to 440 kilometers, depending on weather conditions and load. They will support deliveries from IKEA’s logistics hubs across the country.

Aiming for 80% emission-free deliveries

Currently, IKEA Belgium completes about half of its deliveries using electric vehicles. By the end of 2024, the company aims to make more than 80% of its home deliveries emission-free. Alongside the newly acquired trucks, IKEA’s fleet will include 53 electric delivery vans owned by the company and 37 operated by partner VPD.

The company is also working to electrify its internal supply chain. IKEA’s external pickup lockers in Ternat are now exclusively stocked using electric vehicles, marking another step toward reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint.

In addition, IKEA Belgium is expanding its charging infrastructure in collaboration with Allego, with more charging stations set to be installed in store parking lots this year.

Online shopping rising

IKEA Belgium’s investment in electric trucks is part of a broader initiative to make e-commerce sustainable and customer-friendly. Online shopping at IKEA has increased by 10.7% in the past fiscal year, generating 19% of the company’s total sales.

To accommodate this growth, the retailer has invested in external pickup lockers and expanded Click & Collect options. These efforts aim to provide customers with greater flexibility while reducing environmental impact.

As the company works toward its global goal of cutting delivery-related CO2 emissions by over one million kilograms by the end of the year, IKEA Belgium sees its electric truck fleet as a crucial step in reaching 100% emission-free deliveries by 2027.

“We want our customers to shop as sustainably and flexibly as possible. By investing in Belgian-made electric trucks, we are significantly increasing the number of emission-free deliveries, which is a step forward for our customers, our local partners, and IKEA’s overall sustainability goals,” said John Neven, Project Manager at IKEA Belgium, in a press release.