Ford vans in sustainable delivery trial in London

Forty traders at Billingsgate Market in London are taking part in a sustainable deliveries pilot which has resulted in almost 950 fewer vehicle journeys on congested roads in the centre of the capital.

The pilot – a partnership between Ford Pro, the City of London Corporation and DHL Supply Chain – which launched in March, has involved traders at the historic fish market saving time and money by pooling deliveries using a shared fleet of Ford Pro connected vans, including an all-electric Ford E-Transit.

This has resulted in an estimated 37 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from deliveries, helping to reduce air pollution. Electric vehicle charging has also been installed in the market car park.

This trial is part of the City Corporation’s aim to reduce the environmental impact of its wholesale markets through innovation, including the planned relocation of Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields markets to Dagenham Dock.

Hans Schep, Ford Pro in Europe general manager said: “Bringing our expertise to bear alongside that of City of London and DHL Supply Chain has clearly shown how Ford Pro’s software-driven, sustainable solutions are solving problems for our customers – in this case helping the historic fish market combine its deliveries for greater efficiency and to help reduce congestion.”