Bicester-based Darcica Logistics, one of the newest members of Palletways UK’s express palletised freight network, now offers customers zero-emission sustainable deliveries and collections in Oxford, having taken delivery of its first fully electric 3.5-tonne truck.
With Oxford’s zero emission zone (ZEZ) set to expand further, companies wanting to deliver goods through the pallet network into the city centre, as varied as car engines, alcohol, paint and garden furniture, can meet the requirements of the city council’s ZEZ requirements through Darcica.
The co-branded 3.5T electric truck – a Maxus Luton edeliver 9 with a 900kg tail-lift – is the first EV in Oxfordshire to deliver pallets. Despite being a young business – a SME start up during the Covid-19 pandemic – the family-run and owned business has a clear commitment to reducing emissions, waste, water and energy and the new vehicle is the pride of its fleet. Darcica is a frontrunner in electric vehicles, having already replaced its diesel vans with electric vans and the use of electric forklift trucks in its depot.
The company became a winning sustainable logistics business in the 2022 Oxfordshire Business Awards (OXBA), and was a finalist in the Cherwell Business Awards for New Business, Sustainable Business and Business Person of the Year.
Darcica owner, Anthony Tattersall comments: “The logistics transportation industry has one of the biggest impacts on the environment, and we want to lead the way in reducing its carbon output. We estimate the truck will save 5.71 tonne CO2 a year and means we can continue to service customers in the ZEZ with sustainable deliveries via our fully electric fleet.”
Commenting, Warwick Trimble, UK Network Director for Palletways, said: “Darcica’s green credentials are to be applauded. The company sets an excellent example to the haulage industry at a time when it’s never been more important to make journeys more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint. This is the first of many developments for Palletways UK along the road of alternative fuels and the EV revolution.”
Darcica is one of over 120 depots that are part of the Palletways UK network, belonging to Imperial, a DP World company. They benefit from shared expertise and resources from within the group to deliver consignments of palletised freight to market faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. The Palletways Group, renowned for its industry-leading IT developments and operational systems, comprises 450+ depots and 20 hub operations, through which it provides collection and distribution services across 24 European countries, including the UK.
