Marks & Spencer has taken another significant step in the decarbonisation of its logistics network, announcing the rollout of ten new DAF XD Electric heavy goods vehicles across its Food and Fashion, Home & Beauty operations. While the investment expands the retailer’s growing electric fleet, it also reflects a wider shift in how major retailers are approaching the future of freight.
The new vehicles will operate across core logistics routes, transporting products between distribution centres and stores as part of M&S’s wider Plan A strategy to achieve Net Zero by 2040. Five of the trucks are already in operation, with the remaining vehicles expected to enter service later this year.
One vehicle in the fleet represents an important industry first. Developed through the UK Government backed eFREIGHT 2030 programme, it features integrated inverter technology that powers refrigerated trailers directly from the truck’s battery. By replacing diesel powered refrigeration units with battery power, M&S is reducing emissions beyond the vehicle itself and demonstrating how innovation can improve the sustainability of the entire transport operation.
Rather than relying on a single technology, M&S has steadily expanded its use of lower emission transport solutions over recent years. Alongside battery electric vehicles, the retailer has invested in bio CNG trucks, modernised parts of its logistics network and continued exploring technologies that reduce emissions while maintaining reliable deliveries across its nationwide operations. This latest investment demonstrates that fleet decarbonisation is being treated as a long term operational strategy rather than a standalone sustainability initiative. The approach reflects a growing trend across the retail sector.
Large retailers are increasingly recognising that logistics is one of the most significant contributors to operational emissions. While warehouses and stores have benefited from energy efficiency improvements for many years, decarbonising freight presents a more complex challenge. Success depends not only on cleaner vehicles but also on charging infrastructure, route planning, vehicle utilisation and close collaboration between retailers, logistics providers and manufacturers. M&S’s latest rollout highlights the importance of taking a phased approach.
Introducing electric heavy goods vehicles into core operations allows businesses to build operational experience, understand infrastructure requirements and identify where battery electric transport delivers the greatest value. It also enables organisations to reduce emissions immediately while continuing to prepare for wider fleet electrification as technology continues to develop.
The announcement also demonstrates how collaboration is becoming central to freight decarbonisation. The project brings together M&S, DAF, logistics partner Gist and the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, showing that meaningful progress depends on organisations working across the value chain rather than in isolation.
At Shape Tomorrow, we believe successful decarbonisation is achieved through practical collaboration rather than ambition alone. M&S’s latest investment demonstrates how organisations can reduce emissions by embedding sustainability into day-to-day operations while continuing to deliver commercial value. Conversations like these are exactly what we’re having every day within SLL BriteHub, where logistics, supply chain and sustainability professionals come together to share insights, discuss industry developments and collaborate on the challenges shaping the future of freight. Join the conversation today: SLL Community Portal | Sustainable Logistics Network