Following last year’s successful launch of the first delivery truck powered by 100 per cent renewables, Coles has installed electric fridges in some delivery vans with solar power providing the energy.
Solar-powered and battery-operated, the fridges will be installed in 10 vans used for delivering Coles Online orders to customers in selected areas of Victoria and Queensland.
The innovation is an important step towards Coles’ Together to Zero emissions ambition.
The installation of solar-powered fridges means the vans need no longer rely on engines idling to power cooling during drop-offs. In turn, this helps to reduce emissions, fuel consumption and no truck engine noise when parked.
“We are really excited to launch this trial that won’t just lower emissions but will also reduce fuel usage by an average of three houses each day per vehicle, as the country faces rising petrol prices,” said James Geddes, Coles GM online network and growth.
The vans with solar power can be found in Burwood East and Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, as well as Aspley, The Gap and Cairns in Queensland. The trucks also deliver groceries to several Coles and Coles Local supermarkets in NSW from Coles’ Eastern Creek Distribution Centre in Sydney’s west.
As a part of Together to Zero strategy, Coles is dedicated to building a greener future for future generations through its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity by the end of FY25, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Besides deploying vans with solar power, Coles last year rolled out shopping bags made from marine waste in another sustainability initiative.
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