Swedish furniture behemoth Ikea is delivering its iconic Billy bookcase (and other furniture) to Vienna residents using emission-free electric vans from Quantron
based on the Iveco Daily.
The Quantron Q-Light is based on the Iveco Daily LCV, with the diesel engine replaced by a 136hp electric motor and a bank of batteries to provide power. There’s enough capacity to allow the vans to travel for 105 miles, which is more than enough for a day’s deliveries around the streets of Vienna – most deliveries will be within a 20-mile radius of the logistics centre. The vehicles are charged while being loaded at the central warehouse, meaning that the vans are immediately ready for use without any time being lost.
The electricity for the vehicles is generated by solar power systems and is therefore 100% renewable. Switching to zero-emission vehicles reduces the CO2 emissions produced when delivering to customers by around 150 tonnes per year.
“The launch of our new electric fleet in Vienna means we are one step closer to our goal of becoming a global CO2-neutral customer delivery by 2025,” says Claes Lindgren, head of customer fulfilment at Ikea Austria. “With Gebrüder Weiss, Ikea has a logistics provider at its side that has already been enjoying considerable success using various alternative forms of powering vehicles in everyday logistics operations.”
“Due to the short driving distances in the Vienna area and the low transport weight, e-vehicles are ideally suited for our home delivery services,” added says Jürgen Bauer, member of the Gebrüder Weiss management board. “E-vans make an important contribution to emission-free deliveries particularly in metropolitan areas with their high settlement and traffic density.”
On behalf of Ikea, Gebrüder Weiss delivers around 60,000 consignments per year with the new e-vehicles. Vienna is one of 30 major cities around the world where Ikea is switching to zero-emission electric vans for delivery, with other Austrian states soon also receiving deliveries by e-van.
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