Ocado trials electric vans for greener grocery deliveries

Online supermarket Ocado is set to deliver shopping in electric vans in a bid to become more environmentally friendly.

The 5.5 tonne van, created by Isuzu and Zeroed, is powered by an electronically-controlled electric drive train and a simple two pedal operation.

Energy is supplied from two strings of lithium ion phosphate batteries mounted in cassettes under the body. These are charged overnight for around six hours and provide over 100 miles of range and a top speed of 55 mph, Ocado said.

Ocado spokesperson, Bernadette Ahmed, said: "Ocado is built on green principles, so on an ongoing basis we are always looking at making our business greener.

"One of the things that concerned us was the carbon footprint of our vans.

"It is already low – when one of our delivery vans goes out, 40 families don't have to take their car to the supermarket.

"The new van will allow us to double the amount of groceries that go out because of a pioneering battery developed for the vans."

Ocado also said it hoped to cut costs through the new vans, which could then be passed on to customers.

Other supermarkets may follow suit, the company added.

"If we can prove this new technology really works, it may prove popular," Ms Ahmed added.