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The 'Grand Prix' OnLine Green Award (OLGAs), hosted by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), recognises that Tesco.com was the first company in the UK to run a fleet of battery powered zero-emission home delivery vans.

The vans, supplied by Modec, are currently on the road and delivering to customers in the Shrewsbury area. They have the same carrying capacity as a standard Tesco.com van, cover a range of over 100 miles before they need recharging and are restricted to a maximum speed of 50 mph.

The rewards were established by the internet shopping industry to inspire, encourage and reward individuals and companies who are using internet shopping to progress towards conservation of the earth's resources and / or a reduction in their carbon footprint.

Over 9,000 consumers on MSN Shopping and an independent panel of respected judges chose the OLGAs winners from 30 entries submitted by many of the most advanced businesses in the UK.

Laura Wade-Gery, CEO Tesco.com, said:

?We're delighted to be awarded this accolade. The vans are very popular with customers and the space age design turns quite a few heads as they drive around the streets of Shrewsbury.

?We were the first company to invest in this new van technology, helping to create a low-carbon society and it's great to be recognised for our commitment.?

The OnLine Green Awards were presented as the climax of an all day Go Green, Go Online event, which was opened by Gregory Barker, MP, Shadow Environmental Minister.

James Roper, CEO of IMRG, commented:

?A growing body of research from around the world is proving that internet shopping can be green, and that its overall effect is green. The Go Green, Go Online campaign aims to serve as a lightning-conductor for interest in this subject, to focus research, and raise awareness of the huge potential that the internet-enable marketplace presents for further increasing efficient and reducing waste.

?Many congratulations to Tesco.com - a very deserving winner of our very first Grand Prix OnLine Green Award.?

Last month Tesco.com launched the option of having a grocery delivery without bags. The move is a UK supermarket first and comes as a response to customers' concerns about the number of carrier bags used in home deliveries. Bagless deliveries are just one of a series of initiatives being put in place by the retailer with the aim of reducing the number of carrier bags used by the nation by 1 billion within the next year.

Consumer voted winners included: The Organic Delivery Company and lastminute.com for Small and Large Retail, respectively.