Tesco has become the first retailer in the UK to launch a zero-emission electric lorry, with each vehicle replacing 30,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy each year.
The move – which is an industry first – will see the new electric lorries making deliveries from Tesco’s distribution centres to more than 400 stores across London, helping to reduce emissions in the capital city.
The electric lorries will initially be delivering to Tesco stores in Greater London, with further vehicles being introduced to other cities across the UK in the coming months, improving air quality in urban areas around the country. The Tesco distribution network is one of the largest in the UK.
Lorries currently make up around 16% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions, so addressing this will play a significant role in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions. Adding electric delivery lorries to its fleet will contribute to Tesco’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035.
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Each lorry is expected to replace around 30,000 miles per year of diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy, removing 23 tonnes of CO2e per year.
Tesco boss Jason Tarry said: “We all want to see improved air quality and less pollution in our towns and cities, and electric vehicles will play a crucial role in achieving this.
“Together with our switch to electric home delivery vans and rolling out electric vehicle charging points for our customers, we’re really excited about the improvements we’re making across our business, and our transition to electric vehicles.”
Made by Renault Trucks, the Tesco lorries have a range of up to 130 miles and will be able to carry the same load as the diesel trucks they are replacing.
In January this year, Tesco became the first UK retailer to add electric heavy freight articulated trucks to its fleet. It is also working on a prototype full-electric lorry.
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