Sunswap and MAN Truck & Bus UK have partnered to showcase a fully electric transport solution, combining Sunswap’s Endurance refrigeration unit with MAN’s TGX 4×2 eTruck.
The partners said their collaboration showcases a ‘groundbreaking’ combination – an electric truck pulling a fully electric refrigeration solution – and a significant step towards a sustainable cold chain.
The showcase event, which took place at HORIBA Mira Test Track, provided an opportunity for customers and press to road test the fully-electric combination.
Endurance, Sunswap’s purpose-built electric transport refrigeration unit (TRU), has been trialled by 22 customers to date and is set to hit UK and European roads this summer, with nine customers expected to receive their first units including DFDS, TIP Group, Bannister Transport and Samworth Brothers.
Sunswap said that Endurance boasts an impressive range to ensure it can be easily dropped into customer’s fleets. A single charge can last one day of frozen operations, two days on multi-temperature and up to two months on chilled.
The battery and solar powered refrigeration system is also self-powered, ensuring that it does not draw power from the truck. The company said that this makes it an ideal solution for diesel and electric trucks, as it does not negatively impact the trucks range.
MAN Truck & Bus, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, launched the TGX 4×2 eTruck in 2022 at the International IAA Show in Hannover. The MAN eTGX eTruck is now in production, available for customers to order and ready to hit the UK roads.
Depending on purpose and spec, the truck provides 45-minute charge times with daily ranges of up to 800km. The company said that this makes their new eTGX competition for conventional tractors when it comes to long-distance transport.
In a statement, Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap, said: “This collaboration represents a significant leap forward in the drive towards a net-zero cold chain. By combining our zero-emission electric transportation refrigeration 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 its already here.”
