Tesco deploys UK’s first electric articulated HGVs

Tesco has started using electric articulated trucks as part of its heavy-duty haulage fleet.

It has introduced two new 37-tonne fully-electric Daf CFs to its fleet, in partnership with logistics and international freight forwarding company FSEW.

The new trucks will transport food and other products between Wentloog rail terminal outside Cardiff and Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales.

To power the new vehicles, which have a range of 100 miles, FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales.

The distance from Wentloog to Magor is 30 miles, with the initiative enabling Tesco and FSEW to understand the potential and range of these lorries for use throughout the UK and elsewhere in Tesco’s fleet.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO, said: “Tesco’s distribution network is one of the largest in the UK and plays an important role in our efforts to become net zero in our own operations by 2035.

“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 with the support of FSEW.”

By demonstrating that electric HGV transportation is commercially viable, Tesco hopes this service will contribute to encouraging wider investment in technology and innovation that will support the haulage sector’s efforts to reduce emissions and air pollution.

It will also contribute to the supermarket chain’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035, and FSEW’s work to replace more than 40 diesel vehicles with low-carbon alternatives and switch to fleet-wide zero-emissions transport operations by 2025.

These first two electric lorries will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy, removing 87.4 tonnes of CO2e per year.

Geoff Tomlinson, FSEW managing director said: “This is a landmark day for us here at FSEW, representing a major step forward in our commitment to providing zero emissions transport freight services. Together we are working to create a cleaner and greener logistics experience. This is transformational for the UK’s commercial and retail industries and is just the start of our work to supply electric heavy freight vehicles to customers such as Tesco.”

 “Setting the industry standard is important to us which is why we also have plans underway to create an eFreight hub in Cardiff which will include a low carbon fuel facility for the use of all freight providers and commercial and municipal operators and are also launching this month two further trucks running on 100% renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use.”

Tesco is aiming to fully electrify its delivery fleet by 2028 as part of a commitment to reach ‘net zero’ by 2035.