Boots has added the first electric vans to its fleet ahead of plans to expand the scheme further.

Boots plans national EV roll-out as first electric vans go live

The five Renault Kangoo Z.E. vans have been deployed at the Boots site in Beeston and will be used to deliver customer prescriptions in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, supported by Lightfoot’s driver behaviour system to help efficiency.

The vehicles are being charged by onsite stations, provided with the help of Nottingham City Transport’s ‘Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Scheme’.

If successful, the pilot will be expanded to other areas in the UK.

Eddie Storr, head of supply chain pharmacy, Boots UK, said: “Running over 9,500 routes a week with a van fleet of 900, we are continually looking at ways to improve both the efficiency of our service and its environmental impact. Over the last six months, we have achieved significant mileage reductions through better route planning and the next step on our journey is to reduce our carbon footprint is to introduce zero-emission delivery vehicles. Following the launch in Nottingham, we are looking at other locations around the country to expand our electric fleet.”

Adrian Bremner, head of safety, environment and governance, Boots UK, added: “Care of the environment has always been ingrained into our business thinking, but has never been more prominent than it is now. We recognise that we have a responsibility to conduct our business today in a manner which does not limit opportunities for future generations. Reducing our vehicle air emissions and climate change impact through the new electric vans is an excellent example of Boots demonstrating its commitment to this important agenda and we look forward to learning from their use.”