Clicks has secured 30 new-generation SANY heavy-duty electric trucks for commercial use in South Africa and invested more than R65 million in solar photovoltaic generation, battery energy storage and charging infrastructure to support the transition.

Group CEO Bertina Engelbrecht says the move to electric transport forms part of the Group’s broader investment in its distribution network as Clicks continues to grow. “As we expand our store and pharmacy network, we continue to strengthen our distribution capabilities to support that growth. This enables us to continue delivering the convenience and product availability our customers expect from Clicks.”

“We started moving towards renewables several years ago because, as an executive team, we see ourselves as stewards for future generations. We believe we have a responsibility to make choices today that reduce our impact on the environment, and we have carried that thinking through into our investments in solar, battery storage and now electric transport.”

“There is also a strong business case for doing this. Electric trucks reduce our reliance on diesel and our emissions, while lowering the cost of operating our distribution network. We are investing in the growth of the business, and doing it in a way that also reduces our environmental impact and takes us closer to our ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050,” says Engelbrecht.

L to R: Reuben Jordaan, Clicks Head of Supply Chain and Logistics; Bongiwe Ntuli, Clicks Group Executive: Retail; Bertina Engelbrecht, Clicks Group CEO; Pieter Strydom, Clicks Logistics Executive & Gustav Schoeman, Clicks Head of Stores and Pharmacies

The 30-truck fleet is expected to save approximately 780,000 litres of diesel and avoid around 2,000 tonnes of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions annually. The transition is also projected to deliver annual fuel savings of between R20 million and R25 million, together with a further R2 million to R3 million reduction in maintenance costs.

The 30 electric trucks will be rolled out across Clicks’ Cape Town and Centurion distribution centres. Montague Gardens is expected to operate a 100% electric truck fleet by the end of October. The Cape Town fleet will deliver to approximately 290 stores, while the Centurion fleet will serve around 566 stores.

“A smarter, greener and more resilient supply chain is not a future aspiration for Clicks Logistics – it is already a reality,” says Clicks Logistics Executive Pieter Strydom.

“This is another important step in our logistics transformation journey. It is about using technology, data and continuous improvement to drive operational excellence and build a more efficient and resilient supply chain that is fit for the future.”

Clicks expects to have 68 electric trucks on the road by the end of 2027, representing approximately 62% of its current fleet – well ahead of its original target of 30% electric by the end of 2029.

Electric fleet rollout

• The first 14 electric trucks will operate from the Montague Gardens distribution centre in Cape Town.
• Two diesel trucks will be replaced by electric vehicles by the end of October, taking Montague Gardens to a 100% electric truck fleet.
• A further 14 electric trucks will be deployed at the Centurion distribution centre by 1 October.
• The rollout will extend to KwaZulu-Natal by September 2027.
• Clicks is targeting more than 90% of its truck fleet to be electric by September 2028.
• Clicks also operates Maxus eDelivery vans and smaller electric MellowVans, with plans to introduce EV bikes for omni-fulfilment.

Energy and technology

• R41 million has been invested in battery energy storage systems at two distribution centres.
• The trucks can be charged using a combination of solar-generated energy, stored energy and grid power.
• Clicks’ transport management system supports real-time fleet visibility, route optimisation, vehicle-utilisation monitoring, charging coordination and performance tracking.

Truck specifications

• Battery: 318 kWh.
• Range: 380–400 km per charge.
• DC fast charging: 20% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes.
• Payload: 11.5 tonnes.
• Expected annual distance per truck: 110,000–120,000 km.