Natasha Asghar MS was treated to a spin in one of Tesco’s brand new all-electric delivery trucks recently.
The South East Wales politician jumped in the eco-friendly vehicle during a visit to the supermarket’s impressive distribution centre in Monmouthshire.
As well as taking the truck for a whizz around the block, Natasha also toured the company’s huge hub in Magor and found out more about Tesco’s plans when it comes to the environment.
The supermarket giant – which has a fleet of vehicles in Wales totalling more than 450 – is determined to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2035.
Each one of the company’s trucks does on average 90,000 miles each year so switching to greener vehicles – such as the one Natasha saw first-hand – is a top priority for the company.
Despite the ambition of more electric vehicles and already rolling out three electric trucks, there will be huge challenges as currently there is not a single public truck charging point in Wales.
As well as talking about Tesco’s environmental commitments, senior staff also outlined their Dotcom Personal Shopper operation – which sees tens of thousands of orders picked and delivered every week.
After talking with senior Tesco staff, Natasha was given a tour of the supermarket’s distribution centre to see what really goes on behind the scenes.
Natasha met with warehouse workers to find out more about their day-to-day work as well as those responsible for ensuring deliveries are made on time.
Speaking after the visit, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“It was great to visit Tesco’s impressive distribution centre in my region and catch a glimpse of what really goes on behind the scenes – which a lot of us wouldn’t even think about.
“I really do take my hat off to Tesco for all the work they do, but in particular the company’s environmental commitments, including being the first UK supermarket to introduce electric trucks.
“We covered a vast array of topics during the meeting and I look forward to working closely with Tesco going forward.”
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Cafodd Natasha Asghar AS gyfle i fynd am dro yn un o lorïau dosbarthu trydan newydd sbon Tesco yn ddiweddar.
Neidiodd y gwleidydd o dde-ddwyrain Cymru yn y cerbyd ecogyfeillgar yn ystod ymweliad â chanolfan ddosbarthu gwerth ei gweld yr archfarchnad yn Sir Fynwy.
Yn ogystal â mynd â’r lori am dro o amgylch y bloc, bu Natasha hefyd ar daith o amgylch canolfan enfawr y cwmni ym Magwyr a darganfod mwy am gynlluniau Tesco o ran yr amgylchedd.
Mae’r archfarchnad – sydd â fflyd o dros 450 o gerbydau yng Nghymru – yn benderfynol o ddod yn garbon niwtral yn ei weithrediadau ei hun erbyn 2035.
Mae pob un o dryciau'r cwmni yn gwneud 90,000 o filltiroedd bob blwyddyn ar gyfartaledd, felly mae newid i gerbydau gwyrddach - fel yr un a welodd Natasha gyda’i llygaid ei hun - yn brif flaenoriaeth i'r cwmni.
Er yr uchelgais o gael mwy o gerbydau trydan ac er eu bod eisoes wedi cyflwyno tri thryc trydan, bydd heriau enfawr gan nad oes un pwynt gwefru tryciau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd.
Yn ogystal â siarad am ymrwymiadau amgylcheddol Tesco, amlinellodd uwch staff eu gweithrediad Siopwr Personol Dotcom – lle mae degau o filoedd o archebion yn cael eu dewis a'u dosbarthu bob wythnos.
Ar ôl siarad ag uwch staff Tesco, cafodd Natasha daith o amgylch canolfan ddosbarthu'r archfarchnad i weld beth sy'n digwydd y tu ôl i'r llenni mewn gwirionedd.
Gwnaeth Natasha gyfarfod â gweithwyr warws i ddarganfod mwy am eu gwaith o ddydd i ddydd yn ogystal â'r rhai sy'n gyfrifol am sicrhau bod cyflenwadau'n cael eu gwneud ar amser.
Tra’n siarad ar ôl yr ymweliad, dywedodd Natasha Asghar AS:
“Roedd yn wych ymweld â chanolfan ddosbarthu Tesco yn fy rhanbarth a chael cipolwg ar yr hyn sy'n digwydd y tu ôl i'r llenni - rhywbeth na fyddai llawer ohonom hyd yn oed wedi meddwl amdano.
“Rydw i wir yn canmol Tesco am yr holl waith maen nhw'n ei wneud, ond yn benodol ymrwymiadau amgylcheddol y cwmni, gan gynnwys bod yr archfarchnad gyntaf yn y DU i gyflwyno tryciau trydan.
“Fe wnaethon ni drafod amrywiaeth eang o bynciau yn ystod y cyfarfod ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at weithio’n agos gyda Tesco yn y dyfodol.”
