Albert Heijn, the grocery chain in the Netherlands, is taking a significant step toward sustainable transportation by introducing fully electric delivery services in Amsterdam and Utrecht. These two cities join The Hague and Rotterdam, where Albert Heijn has already been conducting all of its deliveries using electric vehicles. Furthermore, the grocery chain has plans to expand to additional city centers in 2024.
Although specific details regarding the electric vehicle models to be deployed in the two new locations remain undisclosed, a press release from the company recently featured a Mercedes eActros in Amsterdam. These fully electric trucks have been undergoing customer testing since 2020. In addition to larger vehicles, the company also utilizes vans equipped with box bodies, based on models such as the Toyota Proace Electric, and plans to incorporate the Ford E-Transit for end-customer deliveries.
The launch of all-electric delivery services in The Hague during the summer of 2022 saw a diverse range of electric vehicles, including electric light trucks and a Fiat Ducato with a box body, as well as larger distribution trucks from DAF and Mercedes-Benz.
Albert Heijn’s strategic focus is primarily on zero-emission zones, which Dutch cities are set to implement starting in 2025 to enhance air quality. Legislation mandates that from 2030 onward, only emission-free delivery vehicles will be permitted to access city centers. Currently, 14 Dutch municipalities have introduced these environmentally friendly “milieu zones.”
The grocery chain presently employs electric vehicles to supply 150 stores daily, a number expected to increase to more than 200 by the end of 2023. Albert Heijn is making substantial investments in fast-charging infrastructure to support this expansion.
Moreover, Albert Heijn is taking proactive steps to facilitate the charging of its electric vehicles by installing charging stations at its stores. The company has collaborated with Eneco eMobility to implement these electric charging stations, with the initiative commencing last year.
