- In collaboration with Disfrimur and Acotral, tests are starting in Murcia and Madrid with these 33-pallet load vehicles, allowing CO2 emissions to be reduced by 102 tonnes.
- It has also incorporated two 21-pallet rigid electric lorries into its own fleet, the company’s first zero-emission lorries (DGT label) with an annual reduction of 111 tonnes of CO2, to supply its Alicante stores.
- It has a “young” fleet of lorries, which since 2015 has allowed it to reduce CO2 emissions by over 85,000 tonnes, achieving a reduction of 27% per pallet transported.
- All of this is to continue advancing in its commitment to green logistics and strengthening its sustainability.
Mercadona, in collaboration with logistics suppliers Disfrimur and Acotral, has become the first company in its sector to carry out tests in Spain with one hundred percent electric tractor heads, constituting a pioneering advance in the process of transport decarbonisation by 2050, in line with the commitments set out in the European Green Deal on neutral emissions.
Specifically, the company is testing the efficiency of the electric trailers after analysing the challenges presented by their characteristics; mainly their reduced autonomy for 24-hour logistics operations and the lack of existing charging infrastructure. To do this, with the help of its logistics suppliers, it has designed the most suitable routes for these tests, which are being carried out in Madrid with transport company Acotral in Getafe (charging capacity 43 kW); and in Murcia, in this case at the facilities of Disfrimur in San Isidro (a project with Iberdrola with power of up to 180 kW). In total, both routes have managed to efficiently supply a total of 6 supermarkets: 1 in the Community of Madrid and 5 in the Region of Murcia and Alicante.
The electric vehicles tested are tractor heads of up to 44 tonnes, which thanks to the latest technology are autonomous for up to 300 kilometres, with a load capacity of 33 Euro-pallets.
With these tractor heads, its carbon footprint is reduced by a total of 102 tonnes each year, allowing the company to continue progressing in the objectives of its green logistics model, with which it seeks to prevent potential environmental risks by minimising its emissions. In this regard, it must be highlighted that in 2021, the company managed to achieve a 27% reduction, and that in the framework of the Climate Change Act of May 2021, it plans to certify a reduction of 30% of its logistics' atmospheric emissions in 2023. Furthermore, these lorries also reduce noise pollution, emitting approximately 56dB, which allows Mercadona to continue guaranteeing quiet night-time unloading with this type of transport which is respectful towards neighbours.
The first two 21-pallet rigid electric lorries in its own fleet
In addition to this pioneering initiative, Mercadona has incorporated its first two zero-emissions lorries (DGT label) into its fleet. To do this, it has collaborated with Disfrimur, which with the support of Iberdrola, has installed 2 ultra-fast chargers of up to 180 kW at its bases in Alicante and Murcia, to be able to recharge them in just two and a quarter hours.
The first tests with these vehicles, which have been manufactured by SCANIA, have been carried out in Alicante, on routes which have allowed the company to supply a total of 4 supermarkets on a trial basis. The new lorries incorporated into Mercadona’s own fleet have a load capacity of 21 pallets, autonomy of 200 kilometres with cooling equipment, and generate an annual reduction of 111 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
As Jose Ángel Llop, Transport Director of Mercadona states, “we form part of a responsible company which has always been committed to innovation as a lever for growth and sustainability. Thanks to this commitment, we have been able to start up this pioneering project in Spain after demonstrating the viability of the routes designed for this purpose. With this step, we not only contribute as a company to reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the environment, we also strengthen our commitment to doing more with fewer resources, reducing environmental impact and boosting eco-efficiency".
Electric tractor head.
Commitment to having an efficient and young fleet
Mercadona maintains a firm commitment to caring for and protecting the environment, and at all times seeks to carry out its activity with the minimum possible impact. To do this, the company promotes specific environmental policies on waste, carbon footprint and water footprint, through its own Environmental Management System, with which it seeks to do increasingly more with fewer resources, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) promoted by the United Nations (UN).
On its path toward the constant decarbonisation of its processes, the company constantly renews the fleet with vehicles which are mostly EURO 6 D and E models, which in addition to being more efficient, reduce CO2 emissions and other pollutants. In this regard, it has also continued to incorporate more sustainable alternative fuels, which in addition to its decarbonisation plans have allowed it to reduce its CO2 emissions by over 85,000 tonnes since 2015, achieving a reduction of 27% per pallet transported.
Zero emissions electric rigid lorry.