THE Tesco Extra store in Shrewsbury set the scene last week for the launch of its online delivery service’s new zero-emission vans.

Tesco.com is to run a fleet of battery-powered, zero-emission home delivery vans, with each saving 21 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Laura Wade-Gery, chief executive officer of the online business, said: ‘The carbon neutral vans we have ordered for the dotcom business are both quiet and pollution free – a double benefit for urban environments.’

The vans are supplied by Coventry-based company Modec.

They cover a range of more than 100 miles before they need recharging and can travel at speeds of up to 50mph.

Last week, supermarket giant Sainsbury’s announced it would convert a fifth of its home delivery fleet to electric vehicles by 2008.