Does IKEA Have Electric Car Chargers?
IKEA, the iconic Swedish furniture and home goods retailer, is charging ahead with efforts to electrify its operations and make electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible to customers. As part of its commitment to becoming climate positive by 2030, IKEA is rolling out EV charging stations at many of its store locations in the United States and transitioning to an all-electric delivery fleet.
With sustainability and accessibility as driving factors, this EV infrastructure aims to reduce emissions from transportation while enabling more shoppers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
IKEA’s Sustainability Goals
IKEA has set ambitious sustainability targets as part of its People & Planet Positive strategy. By 2030, the company aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 2016 levels and become climate positive. This means reducing more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire IKEA value chain emits.
Transportation is a major focus in IKEA’s climate efforts. Shopping trips, product deliveries, and the company’s own operations all contribute significant transportation-related emissions. Transitioning these activities to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy will be critical for meeting IKEA’s goals.
That’s why IKEA is taking steps like electrifying its delivery fleet and providing EV charging access to customers. As Javier Quiñones, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA U.S., stated in a recent announcement, “We believe that we must work together with our partners to tackle climate change and create solutions for a greener future.”
EV Charging for Customers
To encourage and enable more customers to drive electric vehicles to its stores, IKEA is adding EV charging stations across its locations in the U.S. Through a new collaboration with charging network Electrify America, over 200 ultra-fast chargers will be installed at more than 25 IKEA stores around the country.
The level of charging speed is crucial. With charging capacity ranging from 150kW to 350kW, these stations can add 60 to 80 miles of range to an EV battery in just 5 minutes. For EV drivers doing lengthy shopping trips, quick charges like this can make all the difference in their ability to complete activities conveniently with an electric vehicle.
Locating chargers right at IKEA store parking lots also makes charging easily accessible as part of the shopping experience. Instead of having to seek out a public charging station elsewhere, IKEA customers can simply plug in while browsing furniture displays or enjoying a meal. This hassle-free approach creates an inviting environment for drivers considering an EV.
Fleet Electrification
In addition to customer EV charging, IKEA is working with Electrify Commercial, a unit of Electrify America focused on business solutions, to convert its delivery fleet to electric vehicles. Across the same 25+ store locations, Electrify Commercial will install over 225 fleet chargers to power IKEA’s fleet of electric vans, trucks, and forklifts.
Transitioning to an all-electric fleet is a major component of IKEA’s plan to achieve zero-emission home deliveries by 2025. It also helps the company slash its overall emissions to work towards being climate positive. Since deliveries represent a significant portion of IKEA’s operations, electrifying these vehicles is essential for the company’s goals.
Using fleet-focused chargers from Electrify Commercial, IKEA can cost-effectively charge its fleet vehicles. Features like solar integration, battery storage, and smart charge management will optimize the new EV infrastructure to support reliable, low-emission delivery at scale.
Part of a Bigger Sustainability Picture
While the new EV charging initiatives are grabbing headlines, they are just part of IKEA’s broader sustainability plan. The company is also ramping up its use of renewable energy, reducing plastic waste, using resources efficiently, and designing products to be reused, recycled, or resold.
IKEA aims to become circular and climate positive along its entire value chain. According to Quiñones, “We look forward to continuing to innovate around new ways we can make our everyday lives more sustainable.”
The new EV charging stations and fleet electrification will also reduce costs over the long-term by lowering fuel and maintenance needs. And as EV drivers become an increasingly important customer segment, the added convenience provides a competitive edge that aligns with IKEA’s brand.
Challenges and Criticism
IKEA faces several challenges in rolling out its ambitious sustainability plan. Investing in major infrastructure upgrades requires significant capital. Training employees and communicating changes also takes resources. critics argue the company could be doing more to improve practices within its supply chain.
However, IKEA is striving to be a sustainability leader in the retail sector. While the company is not perfect, its recent EV charging initiatives demonstrate meaningful action to reduce emissions in transportation.
As Quiñones summarized, “This collaboration with Electrify America will not only bring ultra-fast public chargers to our stores for the first time but it will also help us take a big leap as we work towards our targets to become circular and climate positive.”
Growing Consumer Interest in Sustainability
IKEA’s forward-thinking investments in sustainability align with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly businesses. A 2021 study by Capgemini Research Institute found that 65% of consumers consider sustainability when making most or all purchases, while 79% said companies aren’t doing enough on the issue.
With its EV charging expansion, IKEA is working to meet this customer demand for sustainability today and in the future. The company ultimately plans to electrify its entire delivery fleet while providing the infrastructure for clean transportation access to its stores.
Sign of the Times
The transition to electric vehicles is accelerating globally. BloombergNEF predicts EV sales rising from 6.6 million in 2021 to 20.6 million by 2025. With major automakers lined up to introduce dozens of new EV models, the tipping point for mass adoption is in sight.
IKEA adding EV charging signals its confidence in this future. In places like Europe, EVs already claim a significant share of new car sales. The U.S. has lagged behind but appears poised for a coming boom in EV demand. IKEA wants to be ready to serve customers seeking charging access today as well as those buying EVs in the years ahead.
Powering an Emissions-Free Future
Transportation produces around a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it critical to address in the fight against climate change. Electrifying vehicles, especially when combined with greening the grid, is an essential step towards reducing emissions.
That’s why private companies investing in charging infrastructure has become a vital part of the larger transition to EVs gaining market share over gas-powered vehicles. IKEA’s collaboration with Electrify America is an encouraging example of collective action from the private sector to accelerate this shift.
Ultimately, enabling and encouraging more consumers to go electric will require easy charging access along with affordability. IKEA’s push into EV charging tackles both factors by bringing fast, convenient stations to its store locations where people already shop. More companies will need to follow IKEA’s lead to build the EV infrastructure necessary for net-zero transportation.
An Inclusive Approach
IKEA designed its EV charging initiatives to maximize accessibility along with supporting sustainability. Having stations right at stores makes charging convenient for all customers, not just those with access to home charging. Electrify America’s network also includes adaptive charging stations to accommodate people with disabilities.
Part of IKEA’s brand ethos is promoting more equitable and inclusive access for all. Extending this focus to its EV charging expansion helps broaden the benefits of driving electric. As EVs move towards the mainstream, ensuring charging access for diverse populations is critical. IKEA making inclusivity part of its EV infrastructure planning sets an example for the industry.
Looking Ahead
The first locations featuring IKEA’s new EV charging stations powered by Electrify America are set to open as soon as late 2022. Customers in states like California, Texas, New York, Florida, and others will start to have access within months. The full rollout across 25+ stores is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2023.
This represents a major step in IKEA’s commitment to becoming climate positive and slashing its emissions. But it’s just one milestone in the company’s sustainability journey that will continue for years to come.IKEA plans to move towards 100% zero-emission deliveries while helping enable more customers to switch to EVs when shopping.
In the process, IKEA is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable business. As climate concerns grow, consumers and investors will likely reward companies like IKEA that are transparent and proactive about reducing emissions. While challenges remain, IKEA’s recent EV infrastructure investments and blend of climate ambition with accessibility point towards a cleaner future.