Boots customers in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire will be the first in the UK to have their prescriptions delivered by electric vehicles. Boots UK is introducing five electric Renault Kangoo iVans to its delivery fleet that will pick up prescriptions and deliver them to patients’ homes.

These electric vans form part of Boots UK’s commitment to continue to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. If successful, the pilot will be expanded to other areas in the UK. Boots says the vans should reduce its environmental footprint by approximately 22 carbon tonnes per year.

Eddie Storr, head of supply chain pharmacy at Boots UK, said: “Running over 9,500 routes a week with a van fleet of 900, we are continually looking at ways to improve both the efficiency of our service and its environmental impact.

"Over the last six months, we have achieved significant mileage reductions through better route planning and the next step on our journey is to reduce our carbon footprint [by introducing] zero emission delivery vehicles. Following the launch in Nottingham, we are looking at other locations around the country to expand our electric fleet.”