Tesco starts using electric HGVs for food transport

From this month, the first electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will operate out of Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales, in partnership with FSEW, a logistics and freight forwarding company.

The route they will initially operate on is from a rail terminal outside to Cardiff to Magor, a distance of 30 miles.

Heavy goods vehicles make up around 16% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions and addressing this can play a significant role in delivering the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

Despite significant advances in battery technology and charging infrastructure for smaller vehicles, there hasn’t been a commercially viable solution for electric haulage and distribution until now.

These first two lorries will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with green energy, removing 87.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

To power the new service, FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales that provide enough energy to power the trucks for 100 miles before needing to charge again.

Jason Tarry, Tesco chief executive for the UK and Ireland 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 vehicle 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.”