Portuguese logistics firm Klog is set to debut its fleet of battery-electric trucks from Scania, marking a significant step towards sustainable transport solutions in partnership with Ikea.
The new Scania electric trucks will operate between Ikea’s factory in Paços de Ferreira and Porto’s Leixões Harbour, facilitating the transport of Ikea products to stores across Portugal. Similar electric transitions are underway in southern France and Poland, according to Scania.
Scania, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, acknowledges the challenges of electrifying heavy transport in Portugal, citing early-stage local infrastructure development.
“To be able to make a real shift towards transport decarbonisation, we need to collaborate across the value chain,” stated Dariusz Mroczek, Ikea’s Category Area Transport Manager. “Today’s announcement is a great example of how we reduce carbon emissions and find scalable solutions together.”
Charging infrastructure at Leixões Harbour is provided by the Portuguese Port Authority (APDL), with Ikea expected to install charging solutions at its Paços de Ferreira factory. Ikea Industry has also optimized operations with a pick-and-drop system, enhancing vehicle uptime and efficiency by swapping loaded trailers at depots.
“We recognise our responsibility to contribute to sustainable development,” said João Neves, President of APDL, emphasizing the role of electrified transports in advancing Portugal’s economic and environmental goals.
Ikea has been proactive in global electrification efforts, implementing charging facilities and electric vehicle logistics across its operations worldwide.
Scania, which expanded its electric vehicle lineup earlier this year, plans to continue with combustion models until 2040. Despite recent challenges, Volkswagen Group has seen substantial growth in commercial and heavy-duty electric vehicle sales through subsidiaries like Navistar and Volkswagen Truck & Bus.
