Tesco fleet moves to solar power

Tesco has deployed solar and battery powered electric refrigeration to its fleet as it moves away from diesel-powered cooling systems

To date, keeping food chilled and frozen during delivery has meant running diesel engines on the back of trucks - generating emissions and burning fuel even when vehicles are stationary. Sunswap's zero-emission transport refrigeration unit uses roof-mounted panels and batteries to maintain temperatures without diesel.

Tesco has taken delivery of five Endurance units, which will replace diesel transport refrigeration on major routes. The battery and solar-powered technology eliminates carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

“At Tesco, we have an ambitious goal for carbon neutrality across our own operations by 2035 and net zero across our value chain by 2050", said Cliff Smith, fleet engineering manager, Tesco. "Our trial with Sunswap demonstrated solar and battery power can successfully be used across our road transport cold chain -reducing emissions - while maintaining optimal temperatures across frozen, chilled, and ambient deliveries."