Tesco is set to launch the first fully-electric HGVs to be used commercially in the UK, as it continues its pledge to become net zero by 2035.
The Big 4 grocer has partnered with logistics firm FSEW, launching two 37-tonne fully electrified heavy-freight articulated trucks. These vehicles will transport goods from a rail freight terminal in Cardiff to Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales.
The electric vehicles can travel approximately 100 miles on a single charge, making the short distance round trip between Cardiff and Magor a useful route to test how additional vehicles could be rolled out in the fleet, Tesco said.
The first two HGVs, from Dutch manufacturer DAF, are anticipated to make approximately 65,000 miles of haulage journeys otherwise made by diesel vehicles, cutting an estimated 87.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
READ MORE: ‘Much improved’ pay offer accepted in 9 Tesco distribution centres
HGV’s now account for 16% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions and “addressing this can play a significant role in delivering the UK’s net-zero ambitions,” the grocer said.
The UK is the first country to commit to making all new goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under zero-emission by 2035, at the Cop26 climate summit last month.
However, the largest HGVs will not need to be zero emission until 2040, a decade later than the country’s target date for phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
“We’ve already made progress by starting our switch to electric home delivery vans and rolling out electric vehicles charging points for our customers. I’m excited that Tesco can also lead the way in electric haulage innovation, helping to tackle this last source of road transport emissions.” Tesco UK and Ireland chief executive Jason Tarry said.
Tarry added that the electric conversion of Tesco’s distribution network, one of the largest in the UK, would play a crucial role in the grocer’s efforts to achieve net zero by 2035.
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
