Tesco has launched its 500th electric home delivery van, achieving a key milestone towards its net-zero objective by 2035.
- The van will serve Sheffield Extra store, marking it as the first in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet.
- Tesco’s electric vehicles have replaced 15 million diesel delivery miles, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
- The move aligns with Tesco’s plan for a fully electric delivery fleet in the UK by 2030, equivalent to removing 22,000 cars off the road annually.
- Government incentives such as the Plug-in Van Grant have supported Tesco’s transition to electric vehicles.
Tesco has launched the 500th electric home delivery van, strengthening its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2035. The new van will operate at the Sheffield Extra store, making it the first store in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet of delivery vans. This store manages 14 vans that deliver over 2,500 orders each week.
Since 2020, when the first electric vehicle was introduced in Greater London, Tesco has replaced 15 million diesel road miles with electric miles. This shift has resulted in an estimated reduction of 7,500 tonnes of carbon emissions. Currently, more than 30 Tesco stores across the UK are utilising fully electric fleets, aiding in improved air quality in urban areas and further reducing emissions.
Tesco operates a total of 5,500 home delivery vans, which serve approximately 150,000 customers daily. With a vision to operate an entirely electric home delivery fleet by 2030, this transformation equates to taking 22,000 cars off the roads each year. Notably, Tesco became the first UK retailer to deploy a zero-emission electric lorry, cutting down 30,000 diesel miles annually through clean energy.
Tesco’s CEO for UK and ROI, Jason Tarry, stated that the delivery of the 500th electric van is a crucial step towards a fully electric fleet by 2030. He emphasised the environmental benefits, such as reduced business carbon emissions and improved air quality in Sheffield, which aligns with Tesco’s net-zero operations target by 2035.
Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman acknowledged the role of electric vehicles in transitioning to a green economy. He highlighted that initiatives like the Government’s Plug-in Van Grant, which has aided over 40,000 electric vans and HGVs, are pivotal for businesses like Tesco to make sustainable choices.
Tesco’s continued shift towards electric vehicles underscores a significant stride in its sustainability efforts, paving the way for a greener future.
