UK | Tesco has announced the addition of 42 new Iveco S-Way Natural Gas trucks to its fleet in Livingston, Scotland, as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality across its own operations by 2035.
The trucks will transport food and goods across Scotland, Cumbria, and Northumbria, servicing more than 250 stores. Covering more than 200,000km per year, the trucks will save up to 6,4731 tonnes of CO2e annually.
"We are excited to introduce these low-carbon trucks to our fleet. These vehicles represent a significant step towards our goal of reducing emissions and achieving carbon neutrality in our operations by 2035," said Cliff Smith, Fleet engineering manager at Tesco.
"By investing in biomethane technology and partnering with IVECO and CNG Fuels, we are committed to driving positive change and pioneering sustainable practices in the retail sector.”
The new IVECO S-Way trucks run on biomethane and can cut CO2 emissions by up to 83 percent compared to similar diesel trucks. The technology has been adopted as an interim solution while battery electric truck technology and vehicle charging infrastructure mature.
The new trucks include several improvements, such as more fuel-efficient engines than older models, aerodynamic side mirrors, and a 'Silent Mode' for quieter nighttime deliveries.
“The new IVECO S-Way CNG is a worthy flagship for the brand. Combining our most efficient engine to date with the most environmentally friendly fuel will help Tesco reduce its emissions output significantly and drive it closer to reaching its net-zero commitments," said Mike Cutts, Business Line Director Full Range UK & ROI at IVECO.
"The constant expansion of CNG infrastructure makes natural gas a viable solution for today, and we’re pleased to see an increasing number of businesses driving towards their decarbonisation goals.”
Tesco has collaborated with CNG Fuels to establish a refuelling station adjacent to its Regional Distribution Centre, providing added flexibility. Drivers can refuel their vehicles quickly, similar to diesel trucks, ensuring minimal downtime.
Currently, these new trucks make up 20 percent of the Livingston fleet. Having launched the UK’s first fully electric articulated large goods vehicles (LGVs) in 2021, in 2022, Tesco became the first retailer to introduce a zero-emission electric lorry for deliveries across 400 stores in Greater London, served by the Dagenham Distribution Centre.
The retailer now has four electric lorries in its fleet, each expected to replace approximately 30,000 diesel-fuelled road miles annually.
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