UK retailer M&S is rolling out ten new lower emission electric trucks across its Food and Fashion, Home & Beauty logistics operations.

One of the ten vehicles, includes first-of-its-kind DAF inverter technology, enabling chilled trailers to be powered directly from the truck battery.

The new vehicles build on M&S’ electric fleet expansion and join 8 other zero-tailpipe emission battery electric HGVs and five battery electric Rigids. Five of the new vehicles are already in service and a further five will enter operations this year.

The vehicles form part of the retailer’s Plan A roadmap to Net Zero by 2040, including its commitment to move to low carbon logistics, new technologies and cleaner fuels.

“Adapting our logistics network is vital in achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions,” said Mick Pethard, Group Fleet Manager at M&S.

“We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and, through collaboration with Gist and DAF, we are able to trial new technologies, reduce carbon, save energy and drive operational efficiencies across the business.”

Innovating for sustainability

M&S is introducing new technologies to its fleet with a vehicle fitted with an integrated inverter that draws power from the vehicle’s main battery and converts it to supply the trailer’s refrigeration unit. Developed through the eFREIGHT 2030 project, part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure program, this marks the first deployment of this technology on a DAF truck in the UK and reduces the need for diesel-powered refrigeration on chilled journeys.

By enabling refrigeration to run on electricity rather than diesel, this innovation is a significant step forward in the transition towards fully electrified transport operations.

M&S continues to innovate and invest in projects to reduce carbon emissions across its operations as part of its Plan A roadmap to Net Zero, including work to modernise its supply chain and trial technologies that can help lower the impact of moving products to depots and stores.