Sunswap, a British engineering company developing zero-emission refrigeration technology for road transport, has today announced that its solar and battery powered electric refrigeration has been deployed by Tesco, marking the start of a shift away from diesel-powered cooling systems that have dominated food transport for decades.
To date, keeping food chilled and frozen during delivery has meant running diesel engines on the back of trucks – generating emissions and burning fuel even when vehicles are stationary. Sunswap’s zero-emission transport refrigeration unit uses roof-mounted panels and batteries to maintain temperatures without diesel.
Sunswap began manufacturing its purpose-built battery and solar-powered refrigeration unit, Endurance, at its in-house production facility in Leatherhead in November 2024. Tesco has taken delivery of five Endurance units, which will replace diesel transport refrigeration on major routes. The battery and solar-powered technology eliminates carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
“At Tesco, we have an ambitious goal for carbon neutrality across our own operations by 2035 and net zero across our value chain by 2050″, said Cliff Smith, Fleet Engineering Manager, Tesco. “Our trial with Sunswap demonstrated solar and battery power can successfully be used across our road transport cold chain -reducing emissions – while maintaining optimal temperatures across frozen, chilled, and ambient deliveries.”
The deployment follows extensive trials where Endurance performed successfully across multiple temperature zones and delivery distances – even during hot summer conditions. Tesco’s triple temperature trailers will transport fresh produce, dairy, and frozen foods in separate compartments during single delivery runs.
Sunswap’s purpose-built approach integrates trailer-top solar-panels and in-built modular batteries to power a high-performing system designed specifically for the demanding requirements of modern cold chain operations.
“Tesco choosing Sunswap Endurance for its fleet is a landmark moment for sustainable food transport,” said Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap. “When a retailer of Tesco’s scale deploys electric refrigeration across operations, it validates the technology for the entire industry and accelerates adoption.”
The integration of low-emission refrigerated transport technology represents another step toward Tesco’s goal of net zero emissions across its supply chain by 2050.
