Electric DAFs for Tesco and FSEW
Tesco and international freight forwarder FSEW have partnered to introduce the UK’s first commercial full-electric heavy articulated trucks. Two new 37-tonne DAF CF 4×2 electric tractor units are transporting food and other ambient products from Wentloog rail terminal outside Cardiff to Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales.
The two trucks will cover around 65,000 miles a year on the 30-mile round trip, saving a claimed 87.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions PA. Up to 48 cages of goods, made up of predominantly ambient food, and clothing, will be transported per load
FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales, and the trucks can cover around 100 miles between recharges.
Introducing electric trucks contributes to Tesco’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.
Tesco UK and ROI CEO Jason Tarry 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.”
FSEW managing director Geoff Tomlinson, 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 per cent renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use.”
