Mercadona, partnering with logistics providers Disfrimur and Acotral, led Spain as the first company to pilot 100 percent electric tractors in real testing. This milestone marks a major advance toward decarbonization in the logistics sector, aligning with the European Green Deal goals for emission neutrality by 2050.
The company is specifically evaluating the performance of efficient electric trailers. After assessing challenges such as limited autonomy and the sparse charging infrastructure for round-the-clock logistics, Mercadona designed routes with input from its logistics partners for these trials. The tests, featuring a 43 kW charging capacity, took place in Madrid with Acotral in Getafe and in Murcia from the Disfrimur facilities in San Isidro, supported by Iberdrola with charging power up to 180 kW. These efforts enabled reliable two-way operations across six supermarkets in total, one located in the Madrid region and five in Murcia and Alicante.
The electric tractors tested have a payload of 33 Euro pallets and can reach up to 300 kilometers on a single charge thanks to advanced starting technology. By using these tractors, the company reduces about 102 tons of carbon emissions each year and continues to push forward its green logistics model to minimize environmental risks. In line with regulatory goals, Mercadona recorded a 27 percent emissions reduction in 2021 under the Climate Change Law and documented a 30 percent reduction in logistics emissions by 2023. Additionally, the electric trucks help curb noise, emitting around 56 dB, enabling quieter and responsible night unloading for neighbors.
The first two stationary electric trucks in the fleet, numbered 21 tracks
Beyond the initial initiative, Mercadona added two zero-emission trucks labeled by the DGT to its fleet. Disfrimur, which operates bases in Alicante and Murcia with Iberdrola support, has installed two ultra-fast chargers up to 180 kW, enabling full charges in roughly two and a half hours. The early tests with these vehicles, produced by SCANIA, were conducted in Alicante on routes designed to supply four supermarkets as a pilot. The new trucks, carrying 21 pallets and equipped with cooling systems, offer a 200-kilometer range and are projected to deliver an annual CO2 reduction of 111 tons.
Jose Angel Llop, Mercadona’s Director of Transport, stated that the company remains committed to responsible growth through innovation. He explained that this pioneering project demonstrates the feasibility of the designed routes and reinforces Mercadona’s pledge to cut environmental impact, reduce emissions, and pursue eco-efficiency while doing more with less.
A steadfast commitment to an efficient and modern fleet
Mercadona maintains a strong dedication to environmental stewardship, aiming to minimize the impact of its operations. The company promotes policies around waste, carbon footprint, and water footprint and operates its own Environmental Management System to advance sustainable development goals supported by the United Nations. The ongoing decarbonization of logistics processes includes renewing the fleet with mostly EURO 6 D and E models, chosen for their efficiency and lower emissions, and expanding the use of sustainable alternative fuels. Since 2015, the decarbonization efforts have halted more than 85,000 tCO2 in emissions, and a 27 percent reduction per pallet transported has been achieved along the way.