At the end of 2021 84.8% of the Swiss population were living in urban areas, with some regional differences[1]. The high level of urbanization and the rising amount of traffic and emissions this entails are becoming increasingly challenging for both the environment and the logistics sector. Our aim is to improve our service quality while reducing our emissions in a step towards green city logistics.
On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, the new electric Sprinter vans were eagerly awaited at the 7Days headquarters in Egerkingen, ready for their maiden trip and for the loading and transportation of the numerous red boxes that we move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These pure electric-drive vehicles will be used in the Zurich, Basel and Egerkingen regions. The range of the vehicles is currently still a limitation, as the battery needs to be recharged after around 140 kilometres. This means they can currently only be used in the urban centres.
The switch to electric vehicles is part of the 7Days sustainability strategy. Following this step, electric vehicles already account for more than 10% of our own vehicle fleet, with further vehicles to be added in the course of the year.
«We are creating environmentally friendly last-mile delivery logistics.»
Thomas Kirschner, CEO of 7Days Switzerland
Environmental solutions for a respectful attitude to the environment
7Days is closely focusing on sustainable resource management, investing in new drive technologies for its vehicle fleet and testing them for their energy balance and practicality. In addition, it utilizes systems to constantly optimize delivery routes in an attempt to achieve the greatest possible consolidation or combination of individual groups of goods, taking account of the legal framework and customer requirements. 7Days has set itself the goal of making logistics greener and embedding sustainability even more firmly in its DNA.
«SMEs in particular are now asking for environmentally friendly logistics» says Jörg Braun, COO of Logistics Operations.
However, sustainable action is coming to the fore not only on the company side, but also among customers. They want products to be produced and transported in a sustainable manner. Here, the resources used along the value chain play a key role. In the case of logistics companies, their transport operations and buildings are the main drivers of CO2 consumption. 7Days is therefore focusing on these two drivers and initiating multiple measures aimed at improving its carbon footprint in the long term.
Last-mile delivery using electric vehicles also involves challenges that need to be resolved with commitment and future-oriented ideas. For example, the range of the fully charged electric Sprinters is considerably less than that of a vehicle with conventional drive technology. Furthermore, a charging infrastructure needs to be installed at the respective external locations that allows vehicles to be charged in parallel, taking into account the available power capacity.
For Thomas Kirschner, CEO of 7Days Switzerland, electrifying the vehicle fleet is both a goal and a duty in order to ensure our entrepreneurial thinking and actions make sparing use of resources. This applies both to interaction with customers, suppliers, partners and employees, and also in terms of overall economic solutions.
«WWe are making our logistics greener in the long term, starting with small steps. As a fulfilment service provider we have the opportunity to optimize and refine the sustainability of companies’ supply chains.»
Thomas Kirschner (CEO of 7Days Switzerland)
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7Days Switzerland, part of the 7Days Group
7Days is a medium-sized owner-managed company operating in Switzerland, with many years of proven expertise in the transport, distribution and print-media sectors. Although the 7Days brand has existed only since 2014, we can look back on over 30 years of company history.
We offer innovative, smart and sustainable distribution and logistics services, provide support in process design with efficient system and IT solutions, and advise you as a fulfilment service provider with industry-specific expertise that focuses on customer needs.
Our customers include both small and medium-sized enterprises and globally active corporate groups from a wide variety of industries. To be successful together, we rely on a trusting partnership and continuous dialogue, on efficient and quality-oriented processes, on ecological thinking and sustainable action, as well as on neutrality and mutual openness. Behind every service are our employees, who go about their work with commitment, joy and high service quality.
[1] https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/216770/umfrage/urbanisierung-in-der-schweiz/
