Algida Turkey, in partnership with Ford Otosan, became the first brand to use electric vehicles in urban logistics operations – Last Minute Economy News
Sharing the happiness of ice cream with millions for more than 100 years in the world and more than 30 years in Turkey, Algida started to renew its distribution fleet for the city with electric vehicles, aiming to reduce global carbon emissions as part of its “Happy People and Happy Planet” mission.
Turkey’s first all-electric light commercial vehicle E-Transit was added to the Algida fleet in partnership with Ford Otosan and was delivered by Ford Turkey Business Area Leader Özgür Yücetürk to Unilever Turkey and Middle East Ice Cream General Manager Toloy Tanrıdağlı and Unilever Turkey, North Africa and Middle East Supply Chain and Customer Operations President Graham Sommer.
With this move, Algida became the first brand in Turkey to add 100% electric ice cream vans to its urban fleet. Electric vehicles will be charged with green energy in Algida’s warehouses. Algida’s urban distribution fleet will be supplemented by 100% electric vehicles by the end of 2025.
Unilever Turkey and Middle East Ice Cream General Manager Toloy Tanrıdağlı said: “We aim to reduce CO2 emissions in our operations by approximately 125 tonnes per year, with our 100 percent electric vehicles that we have added to our distribution network, breaking new ground in Turkey.” said.
Tanrıdağlı said: “As a Turkish ice cream maker, Algida, we share happiness with both our country and the world, and we are aware of our responsibilities as the world’s largest ice cream company. We show our respect for our ecosystem by calculating the total energy consumption of our 3 million refrigerators around the world and 260,000 in Turkey per year and converting it to renewable energy since last year. We strive to reduce our carbon footprint by supporting facilities that produce as much renewable energy as the energy consumed by our cabins. With the I-REC certificate for renewable energy, we certify that the electricity you buy comes from renewable energy sources on international markets. Today, in partnership with Ford Otosan, we incorporated the first electric vehicles into our urban fleet in Turkey. We aim to reduce CO2 emissions in our company by approximately 125 tons per year.” said.
Graham Sommer, Head of Supply Chain and Customer Operations at Unilever Turkey, North Africa and the Middle East said: “We are making solid strides towards our goal of net zero emissions across our value chain by 2039.” said. “At Unilever, we have set science-based targets to reduce our operational emissions to zero by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions across our value chain by 2039. The switch to electric vehicles in our fleets is one of the most fundamental parts of this. Our Algida brand is the first brand in Turkey to add 100% electric E-Transit vehicles to its fleet and start using them in distribution activities. We are aiming to convert our entire direct distribution fleet to electric vehicles in the next 5 years and we want to make this transformation in our business which we are carrying out with our business partners across the country with the development of electric vehicle infrastructure in Turkey. said.
During the handover ceremony of the vehicles, Ford Turkey Business Area Leader Özgür Yücetürk expressed satisfaction with their cooperation with ice cream giant Algida under Unilever; “My deepest thanks to Algida for their commitment to electric mobility. Together we work to create mutual value and support sustainable growth. With its extraordinary efficiency, superior performance and advanced technology features, E-Transit is one of the most prominent symbols of our vision to lead the electric transformation of the automotive industry. It empowers fleet users by providing greater flexibility and confidence to effectively meet business requirements while fully embracing the benefits of electric mobility. In short, it not only shapes the present of trade, but also the future.” expressed in his words.
With this move, Algida, a Unilever brand, also supports the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2039, as stated in Unilever’s climate transition action plan. In the 2020s and 2030s, it puts its primary focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Algida aims to expand urban electric distribution, which started with 20 vehicles in its fleet from August 2023, to the entire direct distribution network in the next 5 years.
While continuing to share happiness, Turkish ice cream maker Algida continues its sustainability efforts to provide a happy future for both the country and the planet.
