Kesko plans to gradually increase the number of electric vehicles used for transport and deliveries in its grocery trade business to some 200 EVs by 2030. EV charging points for heavy vehicles will be built in all Kesko's grocery trade logistics centres within the next few years. Kesko expects EV transports to reduce emissions significantly while improving efficiency.

The total investment will amount to nearly ?10 million. In addition to the central warehouse in Vantaa, Kesko has regional logistics terminals across the country, which handle deliveries to some 1,200 grocery stores and thousands of Kespro foodservice customers. This year, Kesko intends to update EV charging points in the Vantaa central warehouse, and to build new charging points in the regional terminals in Tampere and Seinäjoki.

According to Kesko's plans, electric trucks will begin operating the Vantaa-Turku and Tampere-Turku routes next year. For short-distance deliveries, new electric trucks will be introduced in Oulu, Turku, Mikkeli and Jyväskylä. New EV charging points for heavy vehicles will be built in the Oulu, Turku, Mikkeli and Jyväskylä terminals, while the Kuopio terminal is set to get one in 2026.

Kesko also aims to increase the use of electric vehicles in home deliveries for online grocery in upcoming years. The electricity used for EV charging on Kesko properties is free of carbon dioxide emissions. Kesko has set science-based reduction targets for its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, aiming to cut the emissions by 90% by the end of 2030 compared to the 2020 base level.