LONDON, UK: DX Group, the provider of delivery solutions, including parcel freight, secure courier and logistics services, has launched a three-year project to acquire a fleet of electric vehicles for use in its delivery and logistics partnership with IKEA.

The ompany has recently invested £750,000 with further investment planned over the next three years to establish an initial fleet of over 60 electric vehicles for IKEA’s home-delivery services. The first phase, launched in August 2022, is an initial twelve electric vans operating from DX depots in Southampton and Warrington.

The new fleet comprises the award-winning Maxus e-Deliver 9 marque vans, which have an operational carrying capacity of 1,162kg and a single-charge range of over 219miles, with zero output emissions. The vehicles are dual-liveried with DX and IKEA branding.

IKEA has been a customer of DX 2-Man and Logistics for over seven years, with DX Group providing delivery and logistics services to support IKEA’s online and retail operations. DX Group is IKEA’s largest provider of 2-Man home delivery services in the UK. The project marks the continuing evolution of this successful partnership.

Paul Ibbetson, Managing Director of DX Freight, commented: “We are very pleased to have launched our first fleet of electric vehicles for IKEA. Over the next three years we will be building on this to provide IKEA with continued, first-class delivery and logistics services that are more environmentally friendly.”

John Welsh, Fulfilment Sourcing Manager at IKEA UK & Ireland, commented: “DX is the largest provider of 2-person home delivery services for IKEA in the UK and we are excited to have their first electric vans with zero-output emissions on the road for us and our customers. IKEA’s goal of reaching 100% Zero Emission last mile deliveries by 2025 will be achieved through working together with those who share our vision, and I am delighted that DX have already been fundamental in delivering some of the first milestones in our journey.”

A wider capital investment programme is also under way at DX, unrelated to DX’s activities supporting IKEA, with between £20 million and £25 million being invested to support the Group’s ongoing expansion. The funds are being used to increase and upgrade the Group’s fleet and parcel-handling equipment, and to drive improvements in DX IT infrastructure and expand the Group’s depot network.