IKEA has announced it is switching over its entire 70-vehicle passenger car fleet in the U.K. to Honda Civic hybrids. The company has not announced any plans for its delivery vehicles as yet, but is reported by The Financial Times to be considering testing electronic vehicles from its store in Coventry.
The switch to the hybrids is part of IKEA's plan to reduce company-wide emissions by nine percent by 2010.
IKEA will also achieve financial benefits aside from reduced gas bills. The company's hybrids will have a much lower road tax imposed and will be exempt from paying fees to enter central London's congestion zone.
Charlie Browne, Ikea's UK environmental manager, told The Financial Times, "The economics of the change have come out quite well."
IKEA will take delivery on 50 hybrids this year and another 20 in 2008. With the move, IKEA will become the first large private-sector business to move its passenger car fleet to a greener mode of transportation.
The Swedish furniture retailer doesn't plan on being reserved when it comes to its environmental fleet. Each car in the fleet will have a message that reads: "This is a Hybrid company car from IKEA. IKEA's business will have an overall positive impact on the environment."
Discussion Questions: What is your reaction to IKEA going to an all hybrid passenger car fleet in the U.K.? How quickly do you see companies here in the U.S. going to "greener" transportation for their passenger as well as commercial delivery fleets? What form are "greener" fleets likely to take here?