Tesco has announced it has added 42 new IVECO S-Way Natural Gas trucks to its fleet in Livingston, Scotland, to help it reach its goal to be carbon neutral 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.
The new IVECO S-Way trucks run on biomethane and can cut CO2 emissions by up to 83%2 compared to similar diesel trucks. The technology has been adopted as an interim solution, while battery electric truck technology and vehicle charging infrastructure matures.
The new trucks include a number of improvements more fuel-efficient engines than older models, aerodynamic side mirrors, and a ‘Silent Mode’ for quieter nighttime deliveries.
Tesco has worked with CNG Fuels to create a refuelling station adjacent to its Regional Distribution Centre for added flexibility. Drivers can refuel their vehicles quickly, similar to diesel trucks, ensuring minimal downtime.
Currently, these new trucks make up 20% 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.
Cliff Smith, Fleet engineering manager at Tesco said: “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. 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.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “We know we need to reduce transport emissions and we know that the decarbonisation of HGVs requires real innovation and a truly collaborative approach. It’s encouraging to see a major retailer such as Tesco investing in low-carbon transport solutions that will help Scotland make progress towards our net zero goals.”
Mike Cutts, business line director full range UK & ROI at IVECO, said: “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. 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.”
