Tesco Ireland has taken delivery of 50 biomethane-fuelled trucks which will be operated by its distribution partner DHL Supply Chain and used to transport produce to stores from Tesco’s Dublin distribution centres.

The trucks replace 50 diesel units, cutting down tailpipe carbon emissions by up to 90%. 

The new biomethane trucks are being introduced as part of Tesco’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and boost its operations’ environmental sustainability, which chimes with DHL’s own strategy to reduce carbon emissions across its supply chains.

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.

David O’Neill, DHL Supply Chain director, said: “This is such an important project to demonstrate the role biomethane can play in Irish commercial transport and a significant step towards decarbonising Tesco’s fleet.

”Our partnership with Tesco shows what can be achieved through a shared commitment to sustainability and we’re looking forward to continuing this journey together.

”DHL is fundamentally decarbonising a significant proportion of the retail transport sector in Ireland, and this partnership with Tesco Ireland is a big part of that story.

”This project is a great example of our Green Transport Policy, guiding the transition of 30% of our own fleet to a green alternative by the end of 2026, an important enabler in achieving our sustainability goals.”

Speaking about the switch to biomethane, Ger Counihan, Tesco Ireland retail and distribution director, 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.”

 Andy McGregor, Tesco Ireland head of sustainability, added: “This is a significant moment in our journey towards decarbonising our business. Transitioning to biomethane from diesel will significantly reduce our transport emissions and is an important step towards reaching our goal of net zero emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050.”

Speaking from Tesco’s Distribution Centre in Donabate, Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage said: “The commitment by Tesco to introduce 50 biomethane trucks into their national fleet is very welcome news.

”Ireland’s road haulage sector makes up 20% of the total road transport emissions in Ireland, so it is incumbent on companies like Tesco with their partners DHL, to play their part in helping to drive down our overall carbon emissions.”

Picutured left to right are Andrew McGregor, head of sustainability, Tesco Ireland; Ger Counihan, retail and distribution director, Tesco Ireland; Dave O’Neil, operations director, DHL Supply Chain, Ireland; Tom Minnock, head of transport, DHL Supply Chain, Ireland; and Alan Reville, head of transport, Tesco Ireland.

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