Voltloader Trials Electric Trucks with Sunswap Refrigeration for Sainsbury's Deliveries

Voltloader is deploying Sunswap's battery and solar-powered transport refrigeration technology for fresh produce deliveries between Strawson Ltd and Sainsbury's. This trial combines Sunswap's zero-emission refrigeration with Voltloader's electric heavy goods vehicles to demonstrate fully electric temperature-controlled transport.

The trial demonstrated how Sunswap's electric transport refrigeration unit enables reliable temperature control across multiple daily deliveries between Strawson's Newark facility and Sainsbury's RDCs, establishing a clear template for electric temperature-controlled transport.

Gavin Hodgson at Sainsbury's commented, "We believe partnership in the food system is key to addressing some of the issues of Climate Change and are constantly looking for ways to collaborate in order to achieve this and to minimise agricultural disruption. Facilitated by our supplier Strawson, this trial of Voltloader's electric HGVs to transport our crops is a great example of reducing carbon emissions in our operations and shows what we can achieve through long-term partnerships."

"This collaboration highlights the natural synergy between electric trucks and purpose-built electric transport refrigeration," said Alastair Gough, Head of Business Development at Sunswap. "As more operators transition to electric vehicles, having truly independent, zero-emission refrigeration becomes crucial. Our solar and battery-powered technology ensures reliable temperature control without compromising vehicle range or environmental benefits."

Future-Proofed Transport Refrigeration

The transition to electric trucks requires consideration of the refrigeration systems used when transporting chilled and frozen goods. Relying on existing solutions mean an electric truck is pulling a highly polluting diesel fridge, while many 'hybrid' solutions rely on power from the truck itself, which reduces vehicle range and operating flexibility.

Sunswap's Endurance unit operates completely independently through an in-built battery and trailer-top solar-power. This autonomous design maximises electric truck range while delivering consistent temperature control. The integrated solar array even generates power during deliveries, extending operating time between charges and providing operational flexibility for fleet managers.

This latest collaboration builds on Sunswap's previous project with MAN Truck & Bus UK, where the two companies demonstrated the seamless integration of electric trucks and zero-emission refrigeration at HORIBA MIRA.

As more operators plan to transition their fleets to electric vehicles, Sunswap Endurance's autonomous design is proving crucial for maintaining reliable cold chain operations. The system's ability to match diesel performance while generating its own power through integrated solar makes it an ideal solution as the transport industry evolves.

Progress towards a fully-electric cold chain is rapidly developing with Bannister Transport set to create the world's first fully-electric refrigerated trailer fleet later this year. This follows Bannister's commitment to transition their entire 40-trailer fleet to Sunswap Endurance units, this deployment will demonstrate how operators can achieve completely zero-emission temperature-controlled distribution at scale.

Read more about how electric transport refrigeration can be an ideal stepping stone for electrification.

Environmental and Commercial Benefits of Electrification

Sunswap Endurance typically saves 12 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually compared to diesel alternatives. The system delivers up to 35% reduction in total cost of ownership and up to 81% lower operating costs, while the integrated solar panels can provide an average of 50-60% of energy needs throughout the year, significantly reducing reliance on grid charging.

The solar and battery-powered system features advanced telematics and cloud-based monitoring, enabling operators to track performance and maximise efficiency. This data-driven approach, combined with the elimination of diesel fuel and reduced maintenance requirements, delivers both environmental and financial benefits.

This trial with Voltloader adds to Sunswap's growing track record of working with major retailers and logistics providers to reduce emissions across the cold chain. By enabling fully electric temperature-controlled transport, Sunswap is helping operators transition to sustainable operations while maintaining the high performance expected.