Two full-electric tractors enter service for Welsh Tesco operation04 January 2022

An unnamed FSEW driver by the new vehicle

Tesco claims to be launching the UK’s first commercially-used fully electric heavy freight articulated trucks. Two new 37-tonne DAF electric vehicles will transport food and other products from Wentloog rail terminal outside Cardiff to Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales, in partnership with logistics and international freight forwarding company FSEW.

FSEW will own and operate the charging infrastructure to support this, and manage the goods arriving by rail to Cardiff on behalf of Tesco. Up to 48 cages of goods, made up of predominantly non-chilled food and clothing, will be transported per load.

These first two lorries, 4x2 DAF CF tractors, will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles. To power the new service, FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales that provide enough energy to power these large vehicles for 100 miles before needing to charge again. At around 30 miles each way, the Wentloog - Magor journey is an ideal location to understand the potential and range of these lorries for use throughout the UK and elsewhere in Tesco’s fleet.

Geoff Tomlinson, FSEW managing director, said: “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% renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use.”

Author
Transport Engineer

Related Companies
Tesco Distribution

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