Electrified e-commerce 

According to Stats SA, online commerce has become a vital element of retail. In South Africa, the e-commerce industry has been growing exponentially, with businesses increasingly embracing the digital market. The Spar Group has begun rolling out its electric vehicle fleet for deliveries ordered via the online shopping platform SPAR2U.

The initial deployment of vehicles has already commenced in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and the Lowveld. It features two-seater, 300kg load capacity four-wheeler city vans; 53 electric motorcycles with an 80kg load capacity; and 12 three-wheel motorcycles with a 200kg load capacity. To power its vehicles, Spar has diligently sourced electricity from renewable sources, including solar power, guaranteeing a reliable and sustainable energy supply while reducing environmental harm.

This transition is projected to save over 212.4 tonnes of tailpipe carbon emissions annually, making a significant contribution to the company’s sustainability goals. These include achieving net-zero emissions across all operations by 2050.

“At Spar, we are dedicated to minimising our environmental impact while positively contributing to the well-being of our social and natural ecosystems, and we are excited to be extending our commitment to sustainability to our delivery vehicles,” says Blake Raubenheimer, omnichannel executive at The Spar Group. “Our goal is to achieve a 50% SPAR2U green fleet by 2025, not only enhancing our nationwide availability but also delivering a greater positive environmental impact.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, we take pride in being at the forefront of green logistics in South Africa. Our goal is to become a climate-resilient group, creating genuine shared value and driving societal change for future generations,” Raubenheimer continues. “To achieve this, we are dedicated to reducing our carbon and water footprints, practicing responsible procurement, and protecting natural resources. This is just the next step; there’s still a long way to go.”