Tesco stores in Glasgow are expected to transfer to an all-electric home delivery fleet.
The Big 4 grocer estimates that 3700 weekly deliveries will now be carried out by its 17 emissions-free electric vans.
The move comes as the first step in the supermarket’s plan to transition its 5500 home delivery vans to electric by 2028.
The retailer aims to create a “lasting legacy” for COP26 in Glasgow, and is said to be investing heavily to reach net zero by 2035.
It announced the addition of 2400 EV charging points across 600 stores by the end of 2022, alongside the installation of five Scottish wind farms and four solar farms across the UK.
READ MORE: £24bn Tesco pension scheme to hit net zero by 2050
Tesco is also set to increase its use of rail freight in a bid to tackle high emission rates from food distribution.
It will be expanding its reliance on the system from 65,000 containers to 90,000 each year.
“I’m delighted that Glasgow will be the first Scottish city to transition to an all-electric Tesco home delivery fleet,” Tesco chief executive Jason Tarry said.
“We’re also increasing our use of rail distribution to take more emissions off our roads and helping boost UK’s renewable energy capacity by investing in renewable energy infrastructure, including nine new wind and solar farms across Scotland and throughout the UK.”
Scottish transport minister Graeme Dey added: “This is a welcome step from Tesco, looking to secure a lasting legacy from COP26.
“Over 3700 deliveries a week will now be completed using zero emission vehicles, helping to protect our climate and improve air quality.”
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
