Tesco has partnered with Direct Rail Services (DRS) to introduce a refrigerated rail freight service to reduce the number of its lorries on the road.

According to an announcement by Tesco, the new service will be the first time the supermarket has used refrigerated rail freight in the UK. Running from Tilbury in Essex, to Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, the service will transport chilled goods over a 415-mile route that will operate twice a day, seven days a week.

The new rail service also aims to lower the retailer’s carbon emissions by using electric locomotives, which deliver 76% fewer CO2 emissions when compared to road vehicles.

The partnership with DRS is part of Tesco’s goal to achieve net zero in its own operations by 2035. The introduction of more rail freight containers will see at least 17,000 containers off the road each year, saving Tesco 7.3 million road miles and nearly 9,000 tonnes of CO2e.

“Clear advantages”

Jason Terry, Tesco UK & ROI chief executive, said: “We’ve been using rail to transport our goods since 2008 and this new service reflects our continuing commitment to rail which has clear advantages for our business, our customers and the planet. Our rail service will be an important part of our efforts to deliver a fantastic Christmas for our customers but the journey doesn’t stop here as we continue to increase the number of containers we transport by rail as part of our commitment to reach net zero emissions in our operations by 2035.”