DFDS has completed successful in-service trials of a Sunswap battery-powered trailer refrigeration unit, using solar panels to charge the batteries.
As orginally reported in Motor Transport, the solar-panel company claiming the zero emission fridge unit offered 22 hours of frozen chilling time on a single charge over two days - one of DFDS’s longest journeys.
Sunswap is a UK-based clean-tech firm, ith a goal to decarbonize the global cold chain through innovative, cost-competitive, and zero-emission transport refrigeration. Providing a sustainable operational and economical alternative to diesel.
It went on to say that, depending on the circumstances, the solar panels may often deliver 65%-100% of the energy required to run the refrigeration unit.
The average time to completely charge the TRU throughout the deployment was 80 minutes.
It was also determined that using a Sunswap TRU for ten years will result in a 25%-35% average cost of ownership savings.
Matt O’Dell, DFDS UK MD of cold chain, said: “We’re very excited about the potential of Sunswap who offer the only purpose built fully electric transport refrigerated unit on the market.
“We are thrilled with the results of the trial and excited to integrate Sunswap zero-emission TRUs into our fleet, which should enter our service within the next year. This is a significant step in building our capability to achieve climate neutrality”
“Transport refrigeration is seen as a significant barrier to the U.K. government’s target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. It has been fantastic to work with the team at DFDS who are passionate about removing emissions from the cold chain and willing to support their vision with action”
