Tesco Ireland rolls out 50 biomethane-fuelled trucks

Tesco Ireland, a subsidiary of the supermarket chain Tesco, has taken delivery of 50 biomethane-fuelled trucks that will operate across its nationwide distribution network, the company announced on July 2. These new biomethane trucks are part of Tesco's strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the environmental sustainability of its operations.

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

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

Each truck has a range of 700 km on a full tank, allowing Tesco to reach any of its 177 stores and return without refuelling. Each truck will complete an average of 15 to 20 store deliveries across the country each week, from Letterkenny to Kerry to Dublin.

In a significant policy development, Ireland recently announced the publication of a National Biomethane Strategy. This strategy outlines policy and regulatory measures and provides a roadmap to develop a scalable biomethane industry in Ireland. The country aims to produce and deliver up to 5.7 TWh/year of biomethane by 2030.