Co-op Funeralcare begins rollout of all-electric funeral fleet

04 June 2024

Co-op Funeralcare have launched their new range of all-electric vehicles, following a significant investment into the updated funeralcare fleet, as part of a wider climate action plan.

The rollout, which is part of a £9m UK-wide investment, sees the addition of both the fully electric Mercedes E-Vito Ambulance and Nissan Leaf pool car to the member-owned organisation’s operational fleet, as well as the introduction of the fully electric Ford Mustang Mach e Etive limousine and hearse.

The new vehicles aim to give clients a more sustainable travel option when saying goodbye to their loved ones and have already been made available in homes across areas including east London, Bristol and Leeds, with the rollout, which also includes the addition of electric charging points in all corresponding locations, continuing across the UK throughout 2024.

And with each new fully electric vehicle averaging a one and a half tonne CO2 reduction when driven compared to their hybrid predecessors*, the move comes as part of a wider commitment by Co-op to be net zero across the entire business by 2040, as outlined in their latest Climate Plan.

Gill Stewart, Managing Director at Co-op Funeralcare, said: “Funerals are changing, and we know how important it is to our member owners and clients that we explore more sustainable options and elements of the service for when they come to us to arrange their loved one’s funeral.

“Using electric vehicles is one of the ways we can help realise this, which is why we’re thrilled to be able to offer families more choice in how they celebrate the lives of their loved ones, as well as those planning their own funeral.

“This is also a significant investment for us, and a key step in our ambition to replace our full fleet of vehicles with fully electric alternatives by 2035, alongside our priority to be net zero across our entire business by 2040. We’re pleased to be expanding our fleet with the addition of our brand new all-electric vehicles, and we look forward to expanding the rollout across the UK.”

The launch of the new fleet follows last year’s announcement from the member-owned funeralcare business of its plans to explore sustainable funeral choices by pioneering a new option in the UK known as Resomation®, the first alternative to burial or cremation since 1902. As part of the planned initial trial, Co-op Funeralcare will look to further validate this new method as being a more environmentally friendly choice compared to gas cremation.

For further information, please visit https://www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare

ENDS

Notes to editor:

*According to the specifications produced by the vehicle convertors, and our fleet sustainability reporting.

For further information please contact pressoffice@coop.co.uk

About Co-op:

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates almost 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.

Employing 56,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.