Frequently Asked Questions

Sunswap has received numerous industry awards, including Transport Refrigeration Manufacturer of the Year 2024 at the TCS&D Awards, the Innovation Award at the Made in Britain Impact Awards 2024, Sustainable Breakthrough at the Cold Chain Federation, and recognition in partnership with DFDS at the TCS&D Partnership Awards. Our technology has been featured in major industry publications and we've participated in significant industry events throughout Europe.

Yes, we're expanding to meet customer demand in Europe with partnerships and emerging support networks across the continent.

Our technology directly addresses Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions in the cold chain by eliminating diesel usage in transport refrigeration. Each Endurance unit typically saves 12 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually compared to diesel alternatives, while also eliminating nitrogen oxides and particulate matter which contribute to local air pollution.

Sunswap works closely with a range of ecosystem players to deliver a seamless, integrated experience for customers. Partners include leading trailer manufacturers, leasing companies, financial institutions, and maintenance providers.

Sunswap is an active member of industry associations such as the Cold Chain Federation and the Global Cold Chain Alliance.

We're also a member of sustainability initiatives like the Move to -15°C coalition, which advocates for more efficient temperature standards in frozen food transport.

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Yes, we've expanded our manufacturing capability with a dedicated facility at our headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey. This facility produces our Endurance transport refrigeration units for UK and European customers, creating 75 manufacturing jobs in Surrey and giving us complete oversight of production quality and assembly processes.

Sunswap was founded in January 2020 by Michael Lowe, Andrew Sucis and Nikolai Tauber, whose combined experience includes aerospace, high-performance automotive motors and thermal systems.

In 2024, we've moved beyond the development phase. Endurance units now operate daily across customer fleets including DFDS, Tesco, Samworth Brothers, Birds Eye and many more.

We manufacture at scale with a nationwide service network ensuring long-term support. Our customer base spans from major logistics operators to specialist food distributors, all depending on Endurance for their daily operations. This is proven and operational technology, backed by the investment and infrastructure to support long-term fleet commitments.

Sunswap is the leading British manufacturer of fully electric transport refrigeration technology. We've combined advanced battery storage with integrated solar power to create our flagship product, Endurance. This industry-leading technology enables fleet operaters in the UK, and across Europe, to cut emissions from refrigerated transport while reducing costs and maintaining performance.

Sunswap is backed by an experienced team with roots in cold chain, logistics, and aerospace engineering. We have support from major investors like BGF, Shell Ventures, Barclays and the Clean Growth Fund. Endurance has proven itself through extensive real-world trials with leading fleets, demonstrating consistent capability and reliability. Customers across various operation types have already successfully deployed Endurance into their fleets.

You can contact us here to schedule a call.

Many operators choose to validate our technology on their most demanding delivery cycles before making fleet-wide commitments.

Our team regularly participates in industry events across the UK and Europe, where you can see our technology firsthand. We're also happy to arrange site visits to our facility in Leatherhead where you can see Endurance units in production.

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The first step is to get in touch. We will work with you to tailor a proposal which meets your unique fleet and route requirements. Using our proprietary Sunswap Analytics™, we can provide ideal specifications and calculate your operational and environmental savings.

The weight of Sunswap Endurance is comparable to that of a diesel transport refrigeration unit. While the exact weight varies based on the specific configuration and battery capacity, our units are designed to minimise any additional weight without compromising performance or efficiency. In some cases, Sunswap Endurance is lighter than a diesel unit.

The solar panels on Sunswap Endurance are built to withstand the everyday challenges of the logistics industry. They are securely mounted on the trailer roof to minimise the risk of damage during normal operations. In the unlikely event of damage, our aftermarket support team is available to provide repairs or replacements. The solar panels can also be easily replaced if needed.

The battery pack in Sunswap Endurance is engineered for longevity and durability, with three key factors contributing to its 10+ year lifespan:

1. Advanced cell chemistry helps maintain optimal health when charged to 100%, eliminating the need to compromise between range and battery life.
2. Endurance's advanced Battery Management System regulates temperature throughout the battery pack, minimising degradation caused by temperature fluctuations.
3. Endurance's peak power usage is significantly lower than that of a typical electric vehicle, despite having a similar or larger battery capacity. This lower discharge rate results in slower degradation over time.

We anticipate the battery will last beyond 10 years, opening possibilities for second-life battery use, e.g. resale or use in other applications.

Sunswap Endurance is engineered for a product lifetime of over 10 years. This is beyond many operators’ natural life for a transport refrigeration unit.

Our robust design, which features fewer moving parts, coupled with proactive maintenace ensures long-term reliability and performance. Regular over-the-air software updates also optimise efficiency and extend the unit's lifespan.

Yes, Sunswap Endurance is trailer agnostic, so it can be fitted onto any type of refrigerated trailer: standard, urban, longwheel-based or double-decker. As the batteries are housed within the unit, no adjustments to the trailer are required.

Yes, Endurance can maintain stable temperatures even with frequent door openings. This has been validated through extensive real-world trials with major fleet operators, where the unit performed reliably under demanding multi-drop delivery conditions.

Sunswap Endurance maintains optimal performance regardless of weather conditions. Whether you're delivering fresh fruit in Scotland or ice cream in Spain, Endurance delivers the cooling power you need.

With solar power, there is an ideal synergy between energy availability and demand: winter requires less energy to keep produce cool while providing shorter daylight hours, whereas summer demands more refrigeration energy but provides longer daylight hours to generate that power.

Beyond solar generation, our modular battery system is the real key to on-road resilience. We size your battery capacity specifically for your routes and requirements. Need more power for longer frozen routes? We simply add more battery modules. This means your system is always right-sized for your operation, regardless of season or weather.

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Switching to Endurance can significantly reduce your fleet's carbon footprint and contribution to air pollution. Sunswap Endurance has zero tailpipe emissions, meaning no CO₂ or other harmful pollutants.

Diesel and hybrid systems produce CO₂ , NOx and particulate matter that contribute to climate change and pollute the air locally. Each Endurance unit typically saves 12 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually compared to diesel alternatives. Switching to Endurance can significantly reduce your fleet's carbon footprint and help you get closer to your sustainability goals.

If you're using a hybrid system such as power take-off or axle-powered units, you're fundamentally relying on a diesel engine to provide power. This means you're not zero emission. Endurance has no diesel engine, so you're never burning a drop of diesel.

The battery and solar-powered unit is also much quieter than a diesel unit – making it easier to make nighttime and urban deliveries while limiting driver exposure to harmful noise levels.

No, charging Sunswap Endurance is designed to be simple, fast, and fully compatible with your current operations. Our system works with shore power 5-pin commando or type 2 EV sockets, so there's no need for specialised charging infrastructure. The solar panels also provide continuous charging to extend runtime. Endurance is designed to charge during natural downtime, such as when trailers are being loaded, unloaded, or parked overnight, minimising disruption to your normal operations.

The runtime from a single charge depends on several factors including temperature settings, ambient conditions, and delivery patterns, but Endurance delivers impressive performance across all scenarios.

For frozen goods, Endurance can operate for 24+ hours on a single charge, enabling overnight deliveries and extended routes.

For chilled goods, the electric transport refrigeration unit can run for significantly longer periods - up to 2 months in many cases without needing to plug in.

The integrated solar panels function as a powerful range extender, continuously generating power during operation and dramatically reducing reliance on grid charging.

For chilled operators such as GIST and Muller, we have evidence that Endurance can run entirely on solar power during summer months.

Charging takes 3 hours when charging from 0-100%, with both standard and fast charging options available. Charge times are reduced significantly when solar charging is available. Charging is designed to fit within natural downtime so that it will not affect trailer utilisation.

While solar power is a key feature of Sunswap Endurance, it is not the sole power source. Endurance is powered by the batteries housed inside the unit. The solar panels on the roof of the trailer provide critical benefits to operators:

• continuous charging during daylight hours
• extended range
• reducing  charging frequency
• generate free clean energy year round

Endurance can run entirely on solar energy, depending on the air temperature and solar availability, or provide a large proportion of the energy requirements. This is what makes solar such an ideal choice for powering refrigerated transport. On long, sunny days where more energy is required, solar generates more energy. Where as on cooler days less energy is required. Solar works in perfect harmony with the cold chain.

To a driver, Endurance operates just like a diesel transport refrigeration unit but without the need for diesel. Instead of a diesel engine, it is powered by an electric motor that draws energy from in-built batteries and solar panels. The unit can be charged by plugging it in, similar to an electric vehicle. But it also has the benefit of solar panels on the roof of the trailer, providing extended range and on-going energy generation, reducing its dependence on a charging network.

We provide 24/7 technical support with 60-second response targets through our UK-wide network of Sunswap-certified technicians. This includes remote diagnostics, rapid-response breakdown assistance, scheduled maintenance, software updates, and compliance management, depending on your package. Our approach combines both virtual support and physical intervention when needed.

Sunswap Shield offers four tailored packages: Essential provides core support for self-maintained fleets; Defender adds enhanced monitoring and extended warranty; Guardian delivers predictive maintenance and priority response; and Forcefield offers complete protection, with all-inclusive maintenance and extended warranty coverage. Each tier is designed to match your specific operational needs.

Sunswap Shield works to deliver maximum uptime through three-part approach:

1. Predict and Prevent: Cloud-based monitoring captures real-time performance data from your units. We spot issues before they become breakdowns and fix many problems remotely without a callout.

2. Rapid Response: When physical service is needed, our network of certified technicians provides preventative maintenance and emergency response from strategic locations.

3. Continuous Improvement: Your units get better over time. We push software updates that optimise performance, add new features, and extend operational life - meaning your unit gets even better over time.

Sunswap Shield is our comprehensive aftermarket care programme with coverage through Sunswap-certified technicians. We offer tiered packages from essential coverage to complete care, allowing you to select the precise level of support your operation requires.

Our approach is proactive and data-driven. Remote monitoring and cloud-based diagnostics capture real-time performance data from your units, enabling us to predict problems and prevent them before they occur. This takes you beyond reactive fixes and breakdowns to maximise uptime.

We can push software updates remotely to improve unit performance, while our network of certified technicians provides both preventative maintenance and rapid response when needed.

A key benefit is that Sunswap Endurance requires minimal physical maintenance due to fewer moving parts compared to diesel units - typically just 1 physical inspections per year.

This comprehensive support ensures your units deliver consistent performance while minimising operating costs and downtime throughout their 10+ year lifespan.