Marks & Spencer has stepped up a gear in the battle to be the greenest retailer by becoming the first chain to order the world's biggest zero-emission delivery truck.
The retailer plans to deploy its first 7.5 tonne battery-powered truck for food deliveries in London this summer. It hopes to buy more of the £60,000 vehicles as it phases out diesel trucks and seeks to become carbon neutral. The order is the first by a major retailer for Tyne & Wear company Smith Electric Vehicles, a subsidiary of Aim-listed Tanfield Group.
While Marks & Spencer's initial order is for just one Newton truck, the manufacturer hopes more orders will follow as its advantages for urban delivery become clear.
Ian Mumby, head of food delivery for Marks & Spencer, said the decision to buy one of the world's largest and most powerful zero-emission trucks was financially as well as environmentally motivated. "The Newton electric vehicle is not only environmentally friendly but cost-effective and its quietness makes it perfect for deliveries in residential areas," he said.
The truck has a top speed of 50mph and can cover 120 miles between battery charges, making it best suited to city centre deliveries. Launched in December, the truck is already on trial with delivery group TNT in central London. Coffee shop chain Starbucks also has one of the trucks on trial, delivering stocks to central London outlets via a sub-contractor.
Marks & Spencer's order comes as retailers compete on environmental credentials. Last month the chain announced a £200m plan that included a pledge to send no waste to landfill by 2012.
To cope with a growing order book Smith Electric Vehicles has recently moved to bigger headquarters, which were yesterday opened by the prime minister, Tony Blair.