Green fleet for Tesco Ireland

THE NEW biomethane trucks are coming on stream as part of Tesco's comprehensive strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the environmental sustainability of its operations.

The trucks will immediately replace 50 diesel units, cutting down tailpipe carbon emissions by up to 90%. The biomethane fleet will be operated by Tesco’s transport partner DHL and the trucks will be used to transport produce to stores from its distribution centres in Dublin.

Tesco Ireland retail & distribution director Ger Counihan said: “Our network is one of the most sophisticated distribution networks in the country. More than 1,800 journeys are made from our distribution centres every week to our 177 stores. We have worked hard with DHL to prepare for the switch from diesel to biomethane trucks, and this move to cleaner energy will reduce the carbon emissions created by this fleet considerably.”

The renewable fuel for the trucks will come from Irish and European anaerobic digestion plants, and the trucks will refuel at the newly opened BioCNG refuelling station operated by Flogas at nearby St Margaret’s in north Dublin.  

Each truck has a range capacity of 700 kms on a full tank of Biomethane Gas which allows the Tesco business to reach any of its 177 stores and return without refuelling. Each tractor will complete an average of 15 to 20 truckloads of store deliveries across the country each week from Letterkenny to Kerry to Dublin.