Organic veg box company Riverford has chosen Bristol as the location to launch its first fleet of fully electric vehicles.
All deliveries of the Devon-founded company’s produce to the city centre will be transported by electric vans by the end of April, which it says will save 68 tonnes of carbon, compared to using diesel vans.
The firm’s fleet of 10 Vauxhall e-Vivaro vans in Bristol are able to travel the 200-mile range of an average delivery on a single charge, while carrying up to a tonne in weight.
A sustainability report Riverford commissioned estimated that transport accounts for around three quarters of its carbon emissions, and the company has pledged to make its entire fleet fully electric by 2025.
Jason Holt, Riverford’s head of logistics, said the company has chosen Bristol for the launch because of its “green reputation” and commitment to tackling climate change.
Mr Holt said: “We know customers [in Bristol] will be thrilled that their veg boxes will now be delivered emission-free, and we’re looking forward to expanding our electric van fleet across the country.
“Diesel exhausts are a major contributor to poor health and climate change. Electric vehicles are an absolute no-brainer for all delivery businesses, especially Riverford where we pride ourselves on being environmentally conscious.”
Founded by Guy Singh-Watson in Buckfastleigh, South Devon in 1987, Riverford moved into employee ownership in June 2018, with 74% of the company now owned by an employee trust that benefits all its workers equally.
The company delivers around 80,000 organic veg boxes every week across the country.
