Tesco takes delivery of Volvo FM Electric tractor

Volvo FE Electric truck will help Tesco achieve reduced emissions targets (Photo: Volvo Trucks)

Volvo Trucks has supplied supermarket giant Tesco with a Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor unit. This is the first zero-tailpipe emissions 40-tonne model to be delivered to a UK supermarket.

The tractor features a Globetrotter cab which meets the Direct Vision Standard three-star rating. This is a programme operated by the UK government intended to improve pedestrian and road user safety through improved vision. Trucks operating in London are required to meet the three-star rating, or possibly face a penalty.

Hauling a range of trailer lengths, the tractor will deliver ambient grocery items across Greater London, Suffolk, Essex and Kent. Operation will extend across seven days per week.

The FM Electric uses three motors to deliver 2400 Nm of continuous torque. These are driven via the I-Shift gearbox, which has the ability to evaluate information about speed, weight, road gradient and torque demand.

Equipped with the maximum six battery packs, the truck has a range of approximately 300 km. Using a 250 kW DC charger recharging takes about 2.5 hours. A 43 kW AC charger takes 9.5 hours. As with other electric vehicles, charging is more rapid up to about 80% capacity. Charging will primarily take place at the Thurrock base in Essex.

Cliff Smith, Tesco’s Fleet Engineering manager, said: “We don’t allocate vehicles to specific routes, so it’s 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 seamless transition into our day-to-day operations.”

Connected services include live positioning data and real-time energy status.

Tesco operates about 2100 commercial vehicles and 4000 trailers. The Volvo FM Electric is expected to run double shifts and cover approximately 70,000 miles per year.