Boots has introduced electric vehicles to its pharmacy delivery and collection service as part of a pilot project to reduce its environmental footprint.
The five Renault Kangoo iVans will run from Boots' headquarters in Beeston and deliver prescriptions to patients' homes in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
The move comes after the health and beauty giant announced in June it would roll out paper bags as standard across all its stores. If the latest pilot is a success, it is expected to be expanded to others areas of the UK.
Eddie Storr, head of supply chain pharmacy at Boots UK, said: “Running over 9,500 routes a week with a van fleet of 900, we are continually looking at ways to improve both the efficiency of our service and its environmental impact.
"Over the last six months, we have achieved significant mileage reductions through better route planning and the next step on our journey is to reduce our carbon footprint is to introduce zero emission delivery vehicles.
"Following the launch in Nottingham, we are looking at other locations around the country to expand our electric fleet.”
The vehicles are fitted with technology which provides real-time engine analysis to help drivers improve their fuel efficiency and safety.
The pilot has been supported by Nottingham City Transport's Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Scheme, which has created charging stations on the Boots site to power the vehicles.
It is estimated the vans could reduce Boots' environmental footprint by 22 carbon tonnes per year.
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