THE UNIVERSITY of Reading’s climate stripes have appeared on a first-of-its-kind electric vehicle.
Foodservice company Brakes’ have adorned a new delivery lorry with the red and blue stripes, which represent the change in global average temperatures over nearly two centuries. It is the UK’s first electric foodservice delivery lorry.
The lorry was officially launched by the Mayor of Wokingham borough, Cllr Caroline Smith, on Friday, February 10.
It will deliver food to pubs, restaurants, education facilities, care homes and other venues across Reading.
Prof Ed Hawkins, the University of Reading climate scientist who invented the stripes, said: “The stripes perfectly illustrate how quickly we need to act.
“We are pleased to be working with Brakes on this project, which will take the Climate Stripes to venues that we visit every day, including schools, workplaces, pubs, and restaurants.
“We hope that it will make people think about what we can all do to help protect the future of the planet.”
As part of the launch, Sysco called for the government to support the uptake of zero emissions fleets, highlighting the challenges faced today.
Peter Jackson, CEO of Sysco in Great Britain, said: “Food and transport are two of the most carbon-intensive sectors. We have a huge responsibility to tackle climate change through our operations and inspire others to do the same.
“Imagine a future where your delivery of sustainable produce arrives on an electric truck charged with solar panels at the zero carbon depot. That’s where we’re heading, and this is an important step.
“But alone, this is not enough. We can only achieve this together.
Mr Jackson added that Sysco is inspiring customers to transform their consumption patterns and the food they buy, by far the biggest portion of society’s carbon emissions.
He hopes the climate stripes on the vehicle will raise awareness of this challenge.
