Tesco Ireland has announced that it is set to trial a new all-electric delivery van in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin this week.
The retailer noted that this is part of Tesco’s efforts to become net zero in its own operations by 2035 and will see Dún Laoghaire become the first town in Ireland to include a Tesco electric delivery vehicle.
This new van will join the existing store fleet at Bloomfields which services 650 kilometres of deliveries in and around the Dún Laoghaire area every week, it added.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Ossian Smyth, said, “This van is larger than your average electric vehicle, and will be able to deliver groceries, including frozen and refrigerated goods, all from batteries powered by renewable energy."
100% Renewable Energy
The van, when fully charged, offers a range of 160 kilometres, and will take on average three to four hours to charge.
It will be powered by 100% renewable energy from a dedicated charging station at its base at Bloomfields Shopping Centre.
Geoff Byrne, chief operating officer, Tesco Ireland, added, “In this critical time for climate action, we have a responsibility to drive change. We all have to play our part to take immediate actions to shape our future.
“Currently, we use sophisticated route planning and driving management systems for Grocery Home Shopping which help schedule smarter routes for our vans, resulting in less miles travelled and fewer carbon emissions. Through these systems, our fleet is predicted to achieve a reduction of 430 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
"Adding an Electric Vehicle into this mix is a further step in the right direction and should see a further 13 tonnes of C02 removed in the next 12 months."
© 2022 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
