Co-op Funeralcare is deploying a fleet of all-electric vehicles to give clients a more sustainable travel option when saying goodbye to their loved ones.

The new vehicles are part of a wider commitment by Co-op to be net zero across the entire business by 2040

The rollout, which is part of a £9m UK-wide investment, sees the fully electric Mercedes eVito ambulance and Nissan Leaf pool car join the member-owned organisation’s operational fleet, as well as the Ford Mustang Mach-E Etive limousine and hearse.

The new vehicles have already been made available at funeral homes across areas including East London, Bristol and Leeds. The rollout, which also includes the addition of electric charging points in all corresponding locations, will continue across the UK throughout 2024.

The move comes as part of a wider commitment by Co-op to be net zero across the entire business by 2040, as outlined in its latest Climate Plan.

Gill Stewart, managing director at Co-op Funeralcare, said: “Funerals are changing, and we know how important it is to our member owners and clients that we explore more sustainable options and elements of the service for when they come to us to arrange their loved one’s funeral.

“Using electric vehicles is one of the ways we can help realise this, which is why we’re thrilled to be able to offer families more choice in how they celebrate the lives of their loved ones, as well as those planning their own funeral.

“This is also a significant investment for us, and a key step in our ambition to replace our full fleet of vehicles with fully electric alternatives by 2035, alongside our priority to be net zero across our entire business by 2040. We’re pleased to be expanding our fleet with the addition of our brand-new all-electric vehicles, and we look forward to expanding the rollout across the UK.”

The launch of the new fleet follows Co-op Funeralcare’s announcement last year of its plans to explore sustainable funeral choices by pioneering a new option in the UK known as Resomation. The first alternative to burial or cremation since 1902, the new method will be trialled as a more environmentally friendly choice compared to gas cremation.