Starting in late June, KLOG will use battery-electric vehicles from Scania to move IKEA products from the IKEA Industry factory in Paços de Ferreira to Porto Harbour in Leixões and to various IKEA stores. Similar transitions to electric transport are also underway in southern France and Poland.
To enhance efficiency, IKEA Industry will implement a pick-and-drop solution, where the vehicle’s trailer is left at the depot and replaced with another loaded one, reducing downtime and preventing the transport of empty trucks. Charging solutions will be provided at the harbour by the Portuguese Port Authority of Leixões (APDL) and at the IKEA Industry factory.
“We are proud to be among the first in Portugal to run electric goods transportation. Our vision is to be recognised in the international market as a leading logistics company in excellence of services, providing high standards of quality to our customers and promoting responsible business and environmental practices,” said Egídio Lopes, Managing Director at KLOG.
João Neves, President of the Board of APDL, added:
“The port operations we run have a significant direct influence on the Portuguese economy. We recognise our responsibility to contribute to sustainable development and strive to be a leading force in the transition to a carbon-neutral future, not least by enabling electrified transports.”
The switch to electric transport in Portugal required detailed planning and cooperation between the parties involved, says the home furnishings retailer. Discussions between IKEA and Scania began in 2023, focusing on the logistical challenges of electrifying heavy transport in a market with developing infrastructure. Route calculations, energy consumption and charging times were carefully considered to ensure the practicality of this shift.