What will customers pay for sustainable delivery? Survey probes electric vehicle demand

DeliveryX

Shoppers are more likely to choose retailers that offer sustainable delivery but most don’t want to pay extra for the option, according to a new survey.
Twenty-six percent of British consumers said they are likely to buy from a retailer which uses electric vehicles while 32% said they are considering buying from retailers that are more environmentally friendly in the future. The main reason for choosing this option was caring about the environment, cited by 40%.

The demand rose amongst younger consumers, with 14% of consumers aged 18 to 34 actively choosing to buy from companies that use electric vehicles. This was considerably more than the figure for 35 to 54-year-olds at 6%.

However, only 10% of consumers were willing to pay more for delivery via electric vehicle, up to £8.80 per delivery. In addition, 48% said they would not sacrifice conveniences such as next-day delivery for the sake of a delivery via an electric vehicle.

Wincanton said in a statement accompanying the survey that “consumers are becoming more aware of environmental and sustainability issues regarding all aspects of shopping and this affects where they choose to spend their money. Retailers need to analyse their business models and ensure they are meeting consumer demand for sustainability, as this could be the difference to remain competitive in today’s tough market.”

Adrian Colman, CEO of Wincanton, said: “It’s clear to see consumer attitudes towards the environment extend far greater than just ditching plastic straws. Today’s consumers are looking for retailers who share their ethics and can demonstrate how they are doing their part for the environment.

“Time and money are still important factors when it comes to shopping and delivery, but in an increasingly competitive retail space, it’s vital that companies choose a partner which supports their vision to implement a greener fleet and improve their credentials among their customers. Wincanton was the first UK 3PL to introduce production-level electric vehicles to its fleet and we continue to invest in green vehicles to offer our customers the best service while reducing harmful effects on the environment.”

Image: DPD

Read More

Register for Newsletter

Created with Sketch.

Receive 3 newsletters per week

Created with Sketch.

Gain access to all Top500 research

Created with Sketch.

Personalise your experience on IR.net