Would you ride your bike to go furniture shopping? The team at Ikea would like you to. They’ll happily deliver your purchases for you — in a clean-energy-powered electric truck, no less.
The IKEA Group has officially committed to a new standard of environmental responsibility, targeting five major cities to provide zero-emissions last mile delivery by 2020 or sooner. The transition to electric vehicle (EV) or alternative zero-emission solutions is planned for Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Shanghai within the next two years.
Fast, Efficient, and Green
The international retailer, best known for smart space solutions and modern, affordable, build-your-own home furnishings, previously announced the goal of electric delivery by 2025. They’ve now ramped up the timeline — and the commitment.
CEO Jesper Brodin explains, “It’s not only about Ikea shifting one vehicle to another, but it’s a systemic shift.” While the shift begins with electric delivery trucks, it’s merely one aspect of Ikea’s overarching goal to become “carbon positive.”
In collaboration with other leading businesses and The Climate Group, the company committed to EV100 in 2017. A global initiative focused on electric vehicles, EV100 draws corporate members together in an effort to make clean electric transport “the new normal by 2030.” In addition to cutting quality-of-life problems such as air and noise pollution, the initiative takes aim at climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG emissions).
It isn’t just about truck upgrades, though. Ikea encourages its customers to walk or bike to the companies’ stores, with easy, fast delivery of purchases to shoppers’ doorsteps. The company is currently experimenting with electric cargo bike delivery, as well as other new technologies that haven’t yet hit the market.
Ikea’s logistics team is also upping the ante with new store locations easily accessible by subway and other public transit.
Positive Impact
Ikea’s climate-positive position stands to create sweeping changes for the company. In addition to cutting emissions caused by deliveries and customer travel, designers hope to cut the carbon footprints of their products, as well.
They’ve invested nearly $2 billion in renewable energy technology to power operations, in hopes of having an excess of available energy. This is part of keeping things carbon positive — actually contributing to the public space for the better. Ikea also plans to work with customers to make their purchases circular, so that any item can be fully recycled or resold when the need arises.
More Than Meets the Eye
The new zero-emission delivery plan joins a long list of Ikea innovations focused on designing for the future. This summer, Ikea announced partnerships with Sonos, Adidas, Lego, Saint Heron, and a long list of independent artists and designers. The goal? To investigate creative spaces and seek out new ideas in everything from custom 3D-printed prosthetics to solar products.
The company also recently acquired TaskRabbit. Now customers can easily hire someone to assemble their new home goods while contributing to the sharing economy.
And if Ikea innovation lab Space10 has their way, you may not need to purchase furniture at all: The team is investigating autonomous vehicles, releasing seven new “concept cars” designed for living. The interiors feature full furnishings to meet different needs: a coffee car, a hotel car, and even a mobile shopping car for your convenience. Direct to doorstep, indeed.
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