Public Funding for Tesco Distribution Limited

Transport of goods such as groceries between distribution centres is frequently done using 'double-decker' trucks. However vehicle legislation limits the weight of these vehicles. For some operations this means that the vehicles cannot be filled to capacity. By reducing the unladen weight of the vehicles, more goods can be fitted into the truck while still keeping below the required laden vehicle weight. This in turn reduces the number of overall journeys required. When combined with an optimised body shape, designed to minimise aerodynamic drag, a target reduction of 15% or more in CO2 emissions and corresponding fuel costs will be achieved. The cost savings will benefit the consumer via reduced costs of goods. Lightweighting measures aim to achieve this reduction in weight by using new materials and novel designs in various areas of the vehicle structure. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of these savings, by building demonstrator trucks with these features and running them on a commercial distribution route for a year. Data collected from this trial will allow the fuel savings and hence commercial benefit to be quantified, opening up the way for a greater take-up of such trucks and a consequent reduction in both fuel used and C02 emissions.

The project will allow the Tesco Engineering department to introduce 35 Dual Fuel tractor units into the strategic Tesco Frozen Food Distribution Centre next to J18 of the M1 at DIRFT. This will represent 60% of the operational fleet at the DC. These vehicles will fuel with gas remotely at the first large scale commercial LNG bio gas refuelling station being built by Gasrec at J18 of the M1. These vehicles will be the first within the UK Tesco operation that will fuel away from their base DC. The Tesco engineering team believe that the project will support the case to further deploy the use of Dual Fuel vehicles across the Tesco Distribution network in the UK and EU.

This project will deliver both an innovative mobile natural gas station designed by the Hardstaff Group, together with the opportunity for a leading UK haulier, Tesco, to trial it as applied to Hardstaff dual fuel (diesel/natural gas) technology. A fleet of 35 Tesco HGVs based in a single depot will be converted to operate on dual fuel and the trial will evaluate cost and CO2 savings from both liquified and compressed fossil gas and bio methane. The trial will also allow Tesco to evaluate operating cost savings and potential CO2 emissions reduction, expected to be in excess of 15%, offered by dual fuel on a reasonably sized sample fleet, and to work with Hardstaff in optimising the technology for their wider use within their business. At the end of the trial, once permanent fuelling arrangements are concluded, the station will be located to a further Tesco depot in order to demonstrate the portability of the mobile solution.