Top 10: Sustainable Fleets

Businesses and governments are increasingly prioritising sustainable fleet management as global emissions and environmental concerns grow.

Switching to eco-friendly vehicles and improving fuel efficiency not only reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also cuts operational costs, enhances public perception and ensures compliance with regulations aimed at lowering carbon footprints.

Sustainable fleets, which include electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, contribute to cleaner air, conserve resources and help organisations achieve both short- and long-term sustainability targets.

With advancing technology and expanding infrastructure, adopting sustainable fleets is now more feasible and impactful than ever, supporting environmental responsibility while improving efficiency and resilience in transport.

With that said, here are the top 10 sustainable fleets. 

10. Siemens

Revenue: US$83.1bn
Employees: 320,000
CEO: Roland Busch
Founded: 1847

Siemens is working towards fully electrifying its vehicle fleet and establishing a robust charging infrastructure as part of its goal to reach net-zero operations by 2030. The company aims to cut emissions by 90% compared to 2019 levels.

Since joining Climate Group’s EV100 initiative in 2021, Siemens has pledged that all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes will be fully electric by 2030, while half of those between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes must also be electrified.

To support this transition, Siemens is investing in the installation of charging infrastructure across its sites.

9. Schneider Electric

Revenue: US$38.7bn
Employees: 150,000
CEO: Olivier Blum
Founded: 1836

Sustainability is central to Schneider Electric’s mission, culture and operations as it works towards net-zero emissions by 2030.

Electrifying its vehicle fleet is a key part of this strategy. The company has committed to switching 14,000 vehicles worldwide to electric by 2025, with 1,200 of those based in the UK.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and, every day, our employees have a crucial role to play in positively impacting climate,” says David Hall, Vice President, Power Systems at Schneider Electric.

8. IKEA

Revenue: US$50.4bn
Employees: 219,000
CEO: Jesper Brodin (Ingka Group)
Founded: 1943

IKEA is fully committed to achieving zero-emission deliveries by 2025.

Since beginning this transition in 2017, the home furnishing giant has doubled its electric vehicle (EV) fleet annually, apart from in FY22.

To achieve its zero-emission delivery goal, IKEA focuses on:

• Setting measurable targets to cut CO2 emissions in its fleet
• Adopting technologies and fuels suited to national infrastructure
• Collaborating with local authorities, partners and communities to enable zero-emission logistics
• Monitoring progress and providing transparent reports to ensure accountability

7. DHL

Revenue: US$87.5bn
Employees: 594,000
CEO: Tobias Meyer
Founded: 1969

DHL continues to modernise its fleet with electric vehicles and alternative drive systems. These efforts span the entire supply chain, from the first mile to the last.

Currently, DHL operates around 30,000 electric vehicles worldwide, with a goal to have EVs handle three in five pick-ups and deliveries by 2030.

“Every major DHL region worldwide now operates electric vehicles in the last mile,” explains Ben Gesing, Director of Global Ground Operations at DHL Express. “It’s truly an exciting time for all involved in ground operations and fleets.”

6. UPS

Revenue: US$91bn
Employees: 500,000
CEO: Carol B. Tomé
Founded: 1907

UPS has been investing in and deploying electric vehicles since the 1930s.

Today, the company continues to develop a more sustainable network through innovation-driven investments, including electric vehicles and environmentally friendly facilities.

A major milestone came in 2022 when UPS electrified its entire fleet in China. Soon after, nearly all delivery vehicles in Beijing and Xi’an’s downtown areas were fully electric.

UPS aims for 40% of its ground operations to run on alternative fuels by 2025.

5. PepsiCo

Revenue: US$91.5bn
Employees: 318,000
CEO: Ramon Laguarta
Founded: 1965

PepsiCo is making strides in reducing GHG emissions by adapting its vehicle fleets.

The company is expanding its use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel throughout its supply chain, including for transporting Walkers crisps across the UK.

This year, HVO-powered trucks have been used to move Walkers products from Leicester to retailers nationwide. The shift is expected to save an extra 13,000 tonnes of GHG emissions by the end of 2024, compared to using conventional diesel.

4. Walmart

Revenue: US$648bn
Employees: 2.1 million
CEO: Doug McMillon
Founded: 1962

Walmart aims for its entire fleet, including long-haul trucks in the US and Canada, to produce zero emissions by 2040 through electrification.

Between 2005 and 2015, Walmart doubled the efficiency of its truck fleet and continues to work closely with manufacturers, policymakers, utilities and transport groups to meet its ambitious goals.

As part of Project Gigaton, which seeks to cut one billion metric tonnes of GHG emissions from the supply chain by 2030, Walmart encourages suppliers to set their own targets to drive meaningful change.

3. Amazon

Revenue: US$576bn
Employees: 1,532,000
CEO: Andy Jassy
Founded: 1994

Amazon is working to decarbonise its transportation operations by increasing fleet efficiency, adopting low-carbon fuels and expanding its use of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles.

The company is involved in numerous initiatives to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions across the transport industry. It also collaborates with policymakers to support decarbonisation efforts.

Amazon’s sustainability milestones include:

• 680 million packages delivered using electric vehicles worldwide
• €1bn investment to double its European zero-emission delivery fleet over five years
• 100,000 custom electric delivery vehicles ordered from Rivian – the largest order of its kind

2. XPO Logistics

Revenue: US$7.7bn
Employees: 39,000
CEO: Mario Harik
Founded: 2000

XPO Logistics, a major player in global freight transportation, provides supply chain solutions to around 50,000 customers, leveraging a network of 550 locations.

The company has implemented various sustainability initiatives, from fleet management and route optimisation to improving energy efficiency in its facilities.

Recently, XPO reinforced its commitment to sustainability by introducing hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and electric-powered vehicles in its transport operations.

Paul Hayes, Director of Asset Light Solutions at XPO Logistics Europe, called it a “leap forward for our customers.”

1. FedEx

Revenue: US$87.7bn
Employees: 500,000+
CEO: Raj Subramaniam
Founded: 1971

FedEx is increasing its sustainability efforts through renewable energy adoption, fleet electrification and research into natural carbon capture solutions.

Throughout 2024, the company has added electric vehicles and zero-emission motorcycles in Brazil, as well as EVs in Canada, Chile, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands and the UAE.

In February, FedEx Express completed its first-ever cross-border EV package delivery from Malaysia to Singapore in a single charge, reducing tailpipe CO2 emissions by 100kg compared to diesel vans.

This effort highlights FedEx’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2040.

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