Tesco is the first UK supermarket to put an electric 40-tonne Volvo on the road

Commercial Motor
July 7, 2023

 

Volvo Trucks has delivered a new FM Electric 4x2 tractor unit to Tesco, as part of the supermarket's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035. This is the first zero-tailpipe-emissions 40-tonne Volvo to enter service with a UK supermarket.

Supplied by Jose Lavarello, key account manager for Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, the new FM Electric tractor unit features a Globetrotter cab and meets the London Direct Vision Standard three-star rating. It will pull various trailer types and lengths, transporting goods to Tesco stores across Greater London, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, carrying ambient grocery items seven days a week.

Christian Coolsaet, MD of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said: "Our new Volvo FM Electric is the perfect solution for performing high-capacity grocery deliveries with less environmental impact, and it’s fantastic to see the first example enter service with Tesco. This model is ideal for supermarket fleets wanting to transition to battery electric trucks, and we’re very confident it’s going to generate a lot of interest on the road."

The FM Electric is equipped with three electric motors that generate 2,400Nm of continuous torque, and are paired with an I-Shift gearbox. It is equipped with six batteries, giving it a range of approximately 300km. The FM Electric can be charged in just 2.5 hours with a 250kW DC charger, or 9.5 hours on a 43 kW AC charger, and will primarily be charged on site in Thurrock.

The Volvo FM Electric has been supplied with a 5-year Volvo Gold Contract that covers all R&M, including proactive monitoring of batteries and associated components. It will be double-shifted, and is expected to cover approximately 70,000 miles annually.

Cliff Smith, Tesco's fleet engineering manager, heralded the arrival of the fully electric truck as a significant milestone for its delivery fleet in supporting the company's sustainability targets. He added: "We don’t allocate vehicles to specific routes, so it is imperative any new truck can immediately slot into our workflow and tackle any assignment effectively. We’re confident the FM Electric will do just that, making a seamless transition into our day-to-day operations."

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