Bensons for Beds' electric van with driver Stuart Hind

Bensons for Beds has today started trialling the all-electric Maxus E Deliver 3, built by SAIC, as part of its strategy to become a net zero retailer by 2040.

A pilot scheme will see the business delivering Rollo by Slumberland mattresses to addresses in London, Kent, Cambridge, Essex and Milton Keynes.

The electric van has a payload of 905kg and is capable of carrying eight to 10 rolled-up mattresses. It has an average city range of 213 miles on a full charge.

Bensons’ first electric Maxus E Deliver 3 will be based at its Dagenham DC, and if successful, will see more of the vehicles being rolled out across its 200-strong fleet.

Chief operating officer at Bensons for Beds, Joe Wykes, said: “This is another landmark on the route to Bensons becoming a net zero retailer. The pilot scheme will let us know how to get the best out of the e-van and deliver great service to our customers.

“While our customers are recharging their batteries on their new Rollo mattress, they can sleep easy knowing that Bensons is making a positive contribution to cutting emissions to help the planet.

“Our ambition is to replace our existing vehicles with an all-electric fleet covering the whole country.”

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