Sunswap collaborated with MAN Truck & Bus for the first test drive of its fully electric transport cooling system on board the MAN eTGX 4x2.
Solar panels and batteries to keep goods cool
It is called Endurance and is the new photovoltaic cooling unit for transportation. It is a fully electric system capable of keeping the goods at a temperature up to -25°C and powered only by solar panels and batteries. The British company Sunswap recently announced a test drive on board the electric truck of MAN Truck & Bus, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The solution welcomes the sector’s efforts towards a progressive electrification of heavy vehicles, a trend gradually consolidating.
On the other hand, for Sunswap, this is not the first time. The company has already partnered with manufacturers and companies in the transport and logistics sectors to test its system in refrigerated vehicles. At the base of the technology, the company explains, there has always been a close collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers. Over 25 tests have tested the response of Endurance to different operating conditions in the last period.
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The results? So far, the photovoltaic cooling unit has demonstrated that it can operate for 22 hours at less than 22°C with a single battery charge, for 24 hours at a temperature of 3°C powered directly from solar modules, or for 2-3 months also using the battery recharge.
How does Endurance, photovoltaic cooling with accumulation work
The system consists of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules to be integrated directly into the trailer roof and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack available in four sizes. “Whether you’re delivering ice cream to Malaga or milk to Scotland, we know that the power requirements vary,” Sunswap explains on its website. “By matching exactly the battery size to your delivery cycle, you can provide the right amount of power without excess weight or unnecessary costs: our smaller battery pack weighs 10-20% less than diesel equivalents with their smaller fuel tank”.
Furthermore, with 4G connectivity, you can manage and monitor your units from anywhere in the world. Whether you turn them on or off, adjust settings or set points. A number of features that have already hit in the sign.
22 customers have already tested the system, which is expected to reach the roads of the UK and Europe this summer. Nine companies, including DFDS, TIP Group, Bannister Transport, and Samworth Brothers, are ready to receive their first units.
In this context, the agreement between Sunswap and MAN Truck & Bus UK to test Endurance on board the MAN TGX 4×2 eTruck represents a new step forward. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in moving towards a net zero emission cooling chain,” commented Michael Lowe, CEO of Sun Swap. “By combining our zero-emission transport cooling system with MAN’s electric truck, we are demonstrating that a fully sustainable supply chain is not only possible, but is the future of the industry. And it’s already here“.
