TESCO have announced plans to convert three quarters of its distribution lorries to run on biodiesel from January.

The lorries will run on B50, a mixtures made up of 50% ordinary diesel and 50% biofuel. Biofuel is produced from renewable energy sources such as plant oils such as rapeseed. Biofuels are more environmentally friendly.  Carbon dioxide is still produced and emitted however to grow the plants used to produce the fuel takes out more CO2 from the atmosphere (during photosynthesis) than is emitted. Therefore the net emissions is less than if running a vehicle on conventional petrol or diesel and it is a renewable source.

Tesco claims that the move will cut its carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 70,000 tonnes a year. The change will be introduced in some 2000 lorries used to distribute goods to 754 stores and 716 smaller Express outlets from the Tesco depots.

The move will boost the retailers green credentials as the environment has become the latest battleground for the supermarkets. Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco’s chief executive, heralded the move as an “extraordinary change” for the retailer.
The fuel is being supplied by Greenergy Fuels, which Tesco have a 25% interest in. The first phase of the plant, which will have a production capacity of more than 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year, will come on line in January.

Tesco has also already rolled out a 5% biodiesel blends at more than 200 of its retail forecourts this year.