JET Charge has completed one of Australia’s biggest electric delivery vehicle charging projects in partnership with IKEA Australia installing 59 chargers across seven locations across the country.
The project reportedly provides infrastructure that enables delivery partners to shift to battery electric vehicles at scale.
Retailers, as the project demonstrates, can integrate scalable infrastructure across complex, national operations, offering a replicable model for businesses looking to transition their commercial fleets from diesel.
“By building intelligent, fit-for-purpose infrastructure, we’ve given delivery partners the reliability they need on the road and IKEA the visibility to lead real emissions reductions across its supply chains,” said Tim Washington, JET Charge CEO and Co-founder.
“It’s a blueprint any retailer can follow.”
Sales of commercial EV vans and trucks remain limited, but they are increasing, and the vehicles available in the market today can have an immediate impact on emissions reductions.
Decarbonising delivery fleets is considered an essential driver in meeting Australia’s climate targets, and one of the most effective solutions for companies looking to reduce their emissions.
“The financial investment in dedicated charging infrastructure will enable broader scale adoption of delivery vehicles by providing access for delivery drivers to recharge at sites owned by retailers and delivery companies,” said Washington.
The impact of JET Charge’s rollout is showing in numbers, with more than 100 vehicles now charging at IKEA sites to enable zero emission delivery.
This indicates the strong demand with third-party delivery partners and proves that investing in the infrastructure internally is extremely effective for business.
“Rolling out EV charging at scale is a critical step in achieving zero emission delivery,” said Alexandra Kelly, IKEA Zero Emission Delivery Project Lead, Australia and New Zealand.
“JET Charge’s infrastructure and implementation of the project, which spans the majority of our Australian delivery network, is already having a significant impact.
“With 83 per cent of IKEA deliveries now completed by zero-emission vehicles, this model is helping us rapidly reduce our emissions and accelerate towards our goal of 100 per cent. We aim to hit 90 per cent by the end of 2025 and the last 10 per cent when technology allows.”
The project includes the implementation of smart load management for future proofing and managing energy constraints across seven sites across Tempe, Rhodes, Marsden Park, Sydney CDC, Canberra, Springvale, and North Lakes.
Implementation is planned for Richmond and Logan in the near future.
The integration of a Chargefox billing system will allow all third-party drivers to pay for charging sessions while reimbursing IKEA for electricity usage.
