Heritage met sustainable innovation when, for the first time, traditional Fuller’s cask beer brewed at the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, wass delivered to London pubs in a fully-electric truck – just in time for Cask Ale Week.
The new electric "dray", as brewery vehicles are traditionally known, will be one of the first of its kind to enter the city in a trial agreed with London Councils – to help demonstrate the potential contribution of electric delivery lorries to creating quieter streets and supporting the city’s clean air initiatives.
The 18-tonne Volvo truck will deliver brewery owner Asahi UK’s renowned brands to pubs across London, including locally produced UK favourites such as Fuller’s ales, Meantime craft beer, and Cornish Orchards cider – as well as global beers including Asahi Super Dry, and Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
“At Asahi we are committed to achieving NetZero across our whole value chain by 2040, in line with UN targets," said Tim Clay, Asahi UK Managing Director. "Every step we take towards these goals is significant, and renewably powered vehicles will be a key element of this.
“Being a part of London’s community since 1845 – brewing from the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick – we are proud to be championing the move to electric dray deliveries in London, contributing to quieter, cleaner streets for everyone.”
In its first year, this vehicle will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30 tonnes of CO2, compared to a current Euro6 standard efficient dray – equivalent to the average annual carbon footprint of six people. This reduction will increase in the second year as Asahi UK transition to fully renewable electricity across its business from January 2025.
