Electric delivery van and charging stations to promote sustainable mobility

  • Novartis sites in Ljubljana and Mengeš have installed trial charging stations for electric and hybrid personal vehicles of employees and partners
  • The first electric delivery vehicle in the cold chain in Slovenia and one of the few in the world for the distribution of analytical samples in the pharmaceutical industry regularly runs between the two development and  production sites
  • Novartis’ goal is to achieve its carbon neutrality by 2025 and in the entire supply chain by 2030 by adjusting its operations
8. 4. 2021

The introduction of an electric van transporting samples between Ljubljana and Mengeš and the installation of trial charging stations at both sites are new steps by Novartis in Slovenia to achieve the carbon neutrality targets and integration into various forms of sustainable mobility.

At the Novartis site in Ljubljana, electric vehicle charging stations have been installed on a trial basis, where six electric or hybrid vehicles can be charged simultaneously, of which four stations are intended for employees’ vehicles and two for vehicles of business partners. They were joined by four charging stations at the Mengeš site for electric and hybrid vehicles for employees and guests. All stations are powered by existing energy sources, which, for the time being, are not renewable, but are ready to switch to renewables in the future. In the initial period, Novartis will fully cover the costs of their operation and provide electricity in order to encourage the use of such passenger cars, which reduce greenhouse gas emission. 

The experience gained in the trial operation of electric vehicle charging stations in Ljubljana and Mengeš will be upgraded by Novartis in Slovenia and expanded according to needs. They are already satisfied with the operation of the first electric delivery van, which has been running regularly between Ljubljana and Mengeš since the beginning of the year. The vehicle, operated by the logistics service provider Prigo, is the first in the country to have a cold chain with constant and closely monitored refrigeration chamber conditions and is specially equipped to meet the requirements of good distribution practice (GDP) in the pharmaceutical industry. This electric delivery van, the purchase of which was initiated by Novartis, transports samples for microbiological analysis. It has replaced a fossil fuel-powered vehicle and will save 8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to 400 newly planted trees*. It is powered by energy from the supplier’s own solar power plant. Prigo is systematically focusing on the purchase of less polluting transport vehicles.

The introduction of the electric delivery van and the trial operation of the first business charging stations are in line with Novartis strategy of environmental sustainability and investment in green infrastructure. One of Novartis’ goals is to achieve carbon neutrality (i.e. net zero carbon equivalent emissions) by 2025 and by 2030 in the entire supply chain. To this end, it introduces innovations in operations, actively cooperates with suppliers and promotes environmental responsibility and related suggestions for improvements among employees.

More about Novartis environmental sustainability: https://www.novartis.com/our-company/corporate-responsibility/environmental-sustainability.

* Trees absorb CO2, therefore reducing electrical energy is equivalent to planting new trees that would be needed to absorb CO2, assuming that one tree absorbs 20 kg of CO2 per year.

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Novartis is the leading provider of medicines in  Slovenia, where Lek d.d., Novartis Pharma Services Inc., Podružnica v Sloveniji and Sandoz d.d., operate. Together we are building and maintaining the reputation of a dynamic, ethical, and trusted pharmaceutical company. Lek develops, manufactures, and markets effective, safe, and high quality medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. With our knowledge, quality, and experience we have gained an important role in Novartis' organizational structure, especially in the Novartis Technical Operations, Global Drug Development, Novartis Business Services, and the generic division Sandoz. We are the leading Sandoz development center, and one of the key development sites for technologically complex projects. We invest a great deal in the development, education, and training of our employees. Over the last nine years, the company has created more than 3,350 new job opportunities, making us one of the biggest employers in Slovenia. Novartis invested in Slovenia more than EUR 2.7 billion since 2003.

About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world’s leading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2020 sales of USD 9.6 billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany’s Greater Munich area.
Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @SandozGlobal at http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global.

About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.

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This press release contains statements and  conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These  estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case  these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.

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For additional information contact:
Gregor Makuc
Communications & External Engagement
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
gregor.makuc@sandoz.com