Asahi UK Launches First Fully Electric Beer Truck for Zero-Emission Deliveries

Asahi UK has officially launched its first fully electric beer truck, marking a significant step toward zero-emission deliveries for some of the brewing giant's most popular brands, including Fuller's ales, Meantime craft beer, Cornish Orchards cider, Asahi Super Dry, and Peroni Nastro Azzurro. This electric 'dray,' based at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, West London, will replace diesel-powered trucks and is expected to prevent over 25,000 polluting road miles annually as part of a trial agreed upon with several London councils.

Timed with the start of Cask Ale Week, the 18-tonne Volvo truck's maiden journey will bring Fuller's London Pride cask beer to the Churchill Arms pub in Kensington. In its first year, the electric truck is projected to cut carbon emissions by around 30 tonnes of CO2. That impact will only grow as Asahi UK plans to transition its operations to 100% renewable electricity starting in January 2025.

"At Asahi, we are committed to achieving net zero across our whole value chain by 2040, which is in line with UN targets," said Tim Clay, managing director of Asahi UK, which acquired Fuller's in 2019. "Every step we take towards these goals is significant, and renewably powered vehicles will be a key element of this.

"Being a part of London's community since 1845 - brewing from the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick - we are proud to be championing the move to electric dray deliveries in London, contributing to quieter, cleaner streets for everyone."

In other sustainability news, Aldi has announced a bold initiative to convert more than 30% of its heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels. Over 160 HGVs at distribution centres in Cardiff, Swindon, and Neston will make the switch, cutting the supermarket's carbon footprint by an estimated 15,400 tonnes of CO2e annually. If adopted across its fleet of 550 vehicles, Aldi claims the move could eliminate an additional 55,100 tonnes of CO2e per year.

"Switching to HVO fuels on our lorry fleet aligns with our long-term sustainability goals and reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon emissions," said Liz Fox, national sustainability director at Aldi.

"We are always looking for ways to continue our efforts to drive positive change across the business and this move in particular is a significant milestone for Aldi."