IKEA Group has announced the launch of its first fully electrified heavy road transport project in Italy, marking a significant milestone in the decarbonization of long-distance logistics. The initiative is the result of a three-way partnership with LC3 Trasporti, IKEA’s long-standing logistics partner, and Mercedes-Benz Trucks, a key player in electric heavy-duty mobility.
Together, the companies aim to move faster than European decarbonization targets and prove that zero-emission freight transport is no longer a distant goal, but a scalable, real-world solution.
Officially starting in October, the project represents the beginning of a gradual but decisive transition toward electric long-haul transport in IKEA’s Italian logistics network.
The electrification journey is already underway, with two battery-electric trucks currently in operation. By the third quarter of 2026, the fleet will grow to more than ten Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks.
These vehicles will handle daily container transport between the ports of Genoa and La Spezia and IKEA’s Piacenza Distribution Center, as well as regular store deliveries across Northern Italy. It’s a demanding, high-mileage operation — precisely the kind of use case where electric heavy transport has traditionally been considered most challenging.
Once fully operational, the electric fleet is expected to cover more than 1.2 million kilometers per year with zero tailpipe emissions, completely eliminating CO₂ emissions from these routes.
For IKEA, this is another concrete step toward decarbonizing its national logistics operations. For LC3 Trasporti, a company known for experimenting with low-impact transport solutions, it’s proof that electric freight can move beyond trials and into everyday service. And for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, it’s a real-world validation of the eActros 600 and its next-generation electric drivetrain.
Cleaner Air — and Quieter Cities
The benefits of electrification go beyond emissions alone. The new electric trucks operate with zero noise emissions, a major advantage for night-time and early-morning deliveries.
This means less disturbance for communities near distribution centers and stores, reduced urban noise pollution, and improved working conditions for drivers — a often overlooked but important aspect of sustainable logistics.
A Clear Signal for the Future of Freight
Heavy road transport has long been one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. With this project, IKEA is sending a clear message: internal combustion engines and fossil fuels have no long-term place in freight logistics.
“This is an ambitious project aimed at significantly reducing our transportation climate footprint in Italy,” said Ewelina Taylor, Global Transport Manager at Inter IKEA Group. “By working closely with our partners, we’re able to design a solution that reduces total costs while contributing to a cleaner and quieter environment — a core part of our mission to create a better everyday life.”
Michele Ambrogi, Commercial Director of LC3 Trasporti, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “The time for isolated experiments is over. What we need now are scalable, concrete, zero-impact solutions. This project shows that real change only happens when the entire supply chain moves together.”
From the technology side, Maurizio Pompei, CEO of Daimler Truck Italia, highlighted the broader significance: “The eActros 600 is the result of years of development aimed at transforming road freight transport. Seeing it deployed at this scale confirms that the energy transition is already happening.”
