Image: LidlLidl Netherlands has announced plans to supply all its stores nationwide with fully electric logistics by 2027. “With this, Lidl Netherlands will become the first supermarket – and even the first retailer worldwide – to achieve this milestone,” company representatives said. While the claim is difficult to verify, the company is clearly among the early movers in electrifying its logistics operations. The achievement has also been recognised by leading Dutch policymakers.Vincent Karremans, Dutch Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, commented: “It is encouraging to see a major company like Lidl transitioning its entire supply chain to electric operations by next year. The electrification of road and freight transport is crucial for strengthening energy independence, improving air quality and reducing CO₂ emissions. This is therefore good news for all.”Peter de Roos, CEO of Lidl Netherlands, added: “Through smart investments in electric logistics, we keep food prices low for our customers. We are therefore very proud of this achievement. It demonstrates that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand.”The latest milestone in the company’s electrification efforts is the commissioning of a fast-charging hub at Lidl’s logistics centre in Almere. The hub enables fully electric supply operations in the North Holland and Flevoland regions. The charging facility includes several CCS fast chargers as well as an MCS unit with a future capacity of up to 1.2 MW. Lidl has not disclosed further details about the hub’s construction. It also remains unclear how many electric trucks the company plans to deploy from 2027 to fully electrify its logistics.The company’s representatives said they have proactively pursued a fully electric fleet, ‘instead of waiting for legal requirements and regulations.‘ Their approach goes beyond the electrification of trucks in cooperation with logistics partners such as Simon Loos. “It requires intelligent solutions to address current grid bottlenecks. By combining large-scale solar power generation on the roofs of logistics centres with high-performance battery storage systems, Lidl Netherlands can mitigate and balance peak electricity demand.”A 1 MWh battery storage system has also been installed at the Almere logistics centre. Ruud Metten, Head of Transport at Lidl Netherlands, said: “Using intelligent monitoring systems, we predict our energy needs with minute-by-minute accuracy. When our charging stations are not in use, we make our self-generated green electricity available to third parties. This relieves pressure on the grid and helps other companies make their transport logistics more sustainable. This result is a true collaborative effort with our partners.”Metten also emphasised that Lidl’s early investments in electric transport have reduced its dependence on truck tolls and fluctuating fuel prices. Lidl Netherlands has been supplying its stores entirely without diesel since 2024, using alternative fuels such as bio-LNG and HVO100. However, this is considered an interim step towards full electrification.lidl.pr-newsroom.nl, linkedin.com (in Dutch)
