As part of their net-zero ambition, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, continues to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging networks by installing an additional 1,000 charging points across IKEA locations in Germany. The announcement in March means by 2028, new charging infrastructure will be available at all 54 stores across Germany with other locations expanded further with EV chargers. This will add to the significant expansion currently ongoing in other Ingka Group countries like Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, where 1,000 charging points will be installed by the end of 2024.
“We have already come a long way, but like many other companies we are facing some challenges; however, are determined to be part of the solution and continue to work together with partners to show that transitioning to EV is the way forward, even if we don’t have all the answers yet”
– Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group.
Since 2020, Ingka Group provides access to EV charging points at all its customer meeting points worldwide where parking is provided, with over 4,500 EV charging points already available today. This continued investment in charging infrastructure comes amid increasing challenges in the transport industry connected to a lack of public charging infrastructure and grid capacity to meet the increasing demand.
“The transport sector is essential for communities to thrive but it also contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The electrification of transport can enable cleaner air, quieter streets, and a reduced climate footprint for our business. As a global company, we want to play a key role in driving EV uptake through making investments in our own operations and signaling demands in the transport industry. We don’t have all of the answers, but we are moving with speed to implement existing solutions and collaborating with others to overcome the barriers and move the sector forward” says Himanshu Raj, Global Sustainable Mobility Leader at Ingka Group.
A new report ‘Charging the EV Transition’* published by international non-profit organisation, Climate Group outlines that although leading businesses have increased their electric car fleets to 630,000 EVs globally, up 57% from last year, companies still face challenges in less advanced markets where EVs are difficult to obtain and charging infrastructure is lacking.
“Today, 12.1% of Ingka Group’s climate footprint comes from customer and co-worker travel and home deliveries, so we strongly believe that switching to EV is key to meet our climate commitments, customers’ needs as well as creating healthier and more sustainable communities, says Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group.
We have already come a long way, but like many other companies we are facing some challenges; however, are determined to be part of the solution and continue to work together with partners to show that transitioning to EV is the way forward, even if we don’t have all the answers yet,” she says.
Ingka Group is committed to the Paris Agreement and to contribute to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In 2018 Ingka committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from customer/co-worker travel and home deliveries by 50% by 2030. To accelerate action sub-targets were set aiming for all stores that offer parking to have charging points by 2020 and for all home deliveries to be made by zero-emission vehicles by 2025.
Already in 2019 Shanghai became the first city where 100% of Ingka’s home deliveries are transported by EV and today, there are 100% zero-emission home deliveries across 17 cities, in 150 locations and more than 1200 electric vehicles are in operation globally.
Challenges on the journey
Like other businesses, Ingka Group is facing challenges, including limited range of freight EVs on a single charge, lack of suitable vehicles for some of our IKEA products and locations, lack of public charging infrastructure and grid capacity, and lack of uniform regulation on freight EVs. In 2020 the company reached its goal of offering EV charging at all touch points that offer parking and are now working to expand the accessibility across all 31 markets and locations.
“Since 2018 we have managed to drastically increase the uptake if EV as well as expanding charging infrastructure for our customers, co-workers, and communities. However, there is a gap between the charging infrastructure demand and the number of electric vehicles now in use around the world, ** continues Himanshu Raj.
To overcome lack of charging infrastructure we will continue to invest in our own charging infrastructure and work with different partners. We plan to significantly speed up progress in the coming years, through further investments, innovation, and collaboration. We stay committed to driving change in our own operations but investment and support from governments and policymakers is needed to build out public charging networks, so we continue to advocate for policy change to overcome regulatory barriers,” he concludes.
*Climate Group Report: Charging the EV Transition – 2024 EV100 Progress and Insights Report.pdf (theclimategroup.org)
**IEA Report 2023: Trends in charging infrastructure – Global EV Outlook 2023 – Analysis – IEA
Read more about EV and Sustainable home deliveries here: Sustainable home deliveries | Ingka Group
IKEA offers new EV chargers in Norway and Sweden: IKEA offers new EV chargers in Norway and Sweden | Ingka Group
WEF: Zero-emission delivery is possible for retailers – here’s how | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations on 31 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents about 90% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on www.Ingka.com.
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