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Supermarket giant Tesco says it is looking to expand its front-haul initiative from 5% to 15% of its store deliveries this year.

The scheme - where transport operators that have dropped off goods at its RDCs then make deliveries to stores - is part of Tesco's commitment to reduce carbon emissions from its transport operation. It estimates that this will save 1.8 million miles each year.

Since it started its sustainability drive in 2007, it has cut mileage by 15% and CO2 emissions  by 23%. Its aim is to halve CO2 per case delivered by 2012.

Alex Laffey, transport director at Tesco, says around 20 hauliers are already engaged on the front-haul project.

The scheme relies on Isotrak software that integrates telematics data from any supplier into Tesco's system, giving the supermarket real-time visibility of the operation.

Tesco is also trialling a gas-powered delivery vehicle, based on a Mercedes-Benz Econic, from its Harlow DC.

Laffey says that as the six-wheeler has not proved an ideal fit for its operation, Tesco will shortly be replacing it with a four-wheel variant.

"We think this will be better suited to our operation and, subject to the trial and acceptable emissions data, we will look to widen the project."

The firm's eventual goal is to run the trucks on compressed biomethane generated from its own waste food. However, this may be two years away, says Laffey.

Other notable initiatives in the pipeline are:  the opening of container import centres - one in Teesside in August and another to follow in the South, when economic conditions dictate; an increase in the number of double-deck trailers in its network (300 will be added this year); and an extension of its Scottish rail operation from Grangemouth to Aberdeen.

Speaking about the rail link, Laffey says: "It's dependent on some form of government support - we have been looking at Aberdeen for 12 months; we had hoped to have got it launched by now.

"However, the economics of double-deck trailers make it harder for rail to compete."