M&S is introducing 10 electric trucks across its food and fashion supply chains to cut emissions from deliveries to depots and stores.

The retailer is rolling out 10 DAF XD electric tractor units, with five already in operation and the remaining vehicles set to enter service later this year.

One of the trucks features an integrated inverter that draws power from the vehicle’s main battery to run the refrigeration unit in its chilled trailer.

M&S said the technology would reduce the need for diesel-powered refrigeration during food deliveries and support its move towards fully electric transport operations. It is the first time the system has been deployed on a DAF truck in the UK.

The vehicle was developed through the eFREIGHT 2030 project, part of the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure programme, which aims to accelerate the adoption of electric heavy goods vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The 10 trucks will be used across M&S Food and its Fashion, Home & Beauty logistics operations.

They are expected to operate at gross weights of between 32 and 42 tonnes, with daily ranges of approximately 250 to 300 miles depending on their routes, loads and operating conditions.

The vehicles will join M&S’s existing fleet of eight zero-tailpipe-emission electric HGVs and five battery-powered rigid trucks.

M&S group fleet manager Mick Pethard said: “Adapting our logistics network is vital in achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions.

“We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and, through collaboration with Gist and DAF, we are able to trial new technologies, reduce carbon, save energy and drive operational efficiencies across the business.”

The rollout forms part of the retailer’s Plan A strategy to reach net zero by 2040, which includes modernising its supply chain and increasing its use of lower-carbon technologies and cleaner fuels.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter