Tesco electrifies deliveries to more than 400 city centre stores

In a move which it says is a first for a major UK retailer, Tesco has announced that zero-emission, electrically-powered Renault trucks are now delivering from its distribution centres to more than 400 stores in Greater London, with further electric lorries entering service in the coming months.

The Renault Trucks D Wide E-Tech lorry, which has a range of up to 130 miles, 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. To power it, Tesco has installed electric charge points at its Dagenham distribution centre.

The vehicle has multi temperature zones so it can move stock that has different temperature needs.

Meanwhile, Tesco also revealed yesterday that it is also working with Volta Trucks on a prototype full-electric lorry. The Volta Zero was specifically designed to help tackle the problem of emissions in urban areas as well as improving road safety as a result of its purpose-built, ground-up design. The glasshouse-style cab, where the driver sits in the centre, together with cameras replacing wing mirrors, minimises blind spots and allows the driver better visibility of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO 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. The Tesco distribution network is one of the largest in the UK and provides us with a great opportunity to roll out new technologies like this industry-leading E Tech electric truck from Renault Trucks. 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.”