TIP Group has increased take-up of Sunswap’s Endurance solar and battery-powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU) after introducing a trial programme of the technology to cold chain operators, the company has revealed.
The trailer and truck hire provider said that following the introduction of the trial programme over a year ago, it now has several long-term hire agreements in place with cold chain operators using refrigerated trailers equipped with the Endurance system.
Since adding the technology to its refrigerated trailer fleet, TIP has also made a demonstration trailer available for operators considering alternative refrigeration systems.
The trial programme allows operators to use the technology within their existing fleet operations and receive performance reports before making a longer-term commitment.
According to TIP, the Endurance units have recorded 100% uptime over the past year, with no unplanned maintenance, equipment failures or periods out of service. The company said operators using the units during trials reduced diesel consumption and eliminated direct refrigeration emissions from the trailers involved.
One of the longest recorded trial journeys was a round trip between Glasgow and Norwich, covering more than 1,000km. TIP said the refrigeration unit operated for 35 hours at a setpoint of -18°C, including a planned depot stop for charging, and completed the return journey with 63% battery capacity remaining.
TIP said a number of operators that trialled trailers equipped with the Endurance TRU have subsequently entered into long-term operating lease agreements. Two operators have committed to using the technology across their entire refrigerated trailer operations.
Under TIP’s leasing model, operators can access the technology through a monthly payment arrangement that includes maintenance and support, avoiding the capital cost of purchasing equipment outright.
The Endurance system is designed and manufactured in Leatherhead, Surrey. Sunswap said the unit combines battery, solar, software and service systems within a single platform and generates operational data covering temperature compliance, energy use and asset performance.
Mark Carlin, TIP fleet and engineering director, said the trials had demonstrated that the technology could meet the operational requirements of cold chain operators.
“Partnering with Sunswap reinforces our commitment to helping our customers transition to lower and zero-emission transport solutions with confidence.
“The success of these trials has demonstrated that sustainable refrigeration technology can deliver the reliability, performance and operational capability that cold chain operators need,” he added.
Michael Lowe, Sunswap chief executive, said: “We’re now running Endurance across fleets in three continents and with global fleet operators.
“With Endurance offering up to 81% reduction in operating costs, operators can focus on the benefits of switching away from diesel and saving on fuel and maintenance costs.
“We are excited to see many operators choosing and leasing the Sunswap technology.”
