FRIGOBLOCK Refrigerates UK’s First Fully Electric Large Goods Trucks from NRG Riverside

FRIGOBLOCK, one of the leading manufacturers of transport refrigeration units in Europe and a brand of Thermo King, announced it collaborated with NRG Riverside, one of the fastest-growing fleet management companies in the United Kingdom (UK), to create the first battery-electric (BEV) temperature-controlled trucks to operate on UK’s roads. 

Following a successful launch of BEV refuge collection vehicles in London, NRG Riverside was determined to provide the same environmental benefits to the frozen and chilled goods distribution sector. Together with its strategic partner and manufacturer of electric HGVs, Electra Commercial Vehicles, they reached out to FRIGOBLOCK to provide high capacity refrigeration unit capable of being fully powered by their vehicle’s batteries. FRIGOBLOCK EK25R refrigeration unit fitted with the RE22-2 evaporators ticked all the boxes. 

As a result of the project, NRG Riverside created four temperature-controlled distribution vehicles ranging from a 19-tonne rigid vehicle to a 13.6m trailer, all equipped with FRIGOBLOCK inverter-driven refrigeration systems. All vehicles are currently supplied to operators for trials and enable them to experience the benefits of zero-emission refrigerated transport. 

“One of our main priorities is to constantly innovate and apply the latest technologies to provide our clients with the most valuable solutions. With this electrification project, we wanted to prove that multi-temperature BEV’s are a viable solution to eliminate exhaust gas emissions - particularly in urban, multi-drop operations – without compromising the cold chain,” said Sid Sadique, chairman of NRG Riverside. “We chose to collaborate with FRIGOBLOCK because, with the electric transport technology being new to the UK market, it was important to work with established partners, and we knew we can count on their proven products and support.”

“At FRIGOBLOCK, we are dedicated to providing customers with our expertise and products that can help bring the environmental and performance benefits of electrified temperature-controlled transport to the cities,” said Jon Jerrard-Dinn, key account manager at FRIGOBLOCK. “We value our long-time relationship with NRG Riverside and are proud to be part of this project, which is going to bring more BEV’s into service in the UK. We have proven that FRIGOBLOCK can provide seamless cold chain management, and our technology can be easily integrated with battery-electric large goods vehicles.” 

The FRIGOBLOCK EK25R chassis-mounted refrigeration unit delivers high refrigeration capacity and is linked with RE22-2 remote evaporators. The unit uses a FRIGOBLOCK inverter to efficiently manage the power supply directly from the vehicle’s batteries, without excessive reduction to the vehicle’s range or operational duty time.  

“FRIGOBLOCK’s units proved to be the most suitable solution for a large battery-electric vehicle. Installation and connectivity with the battery has proven to be straightforward and reliable,” said Gordon MacDougall, technical director at Electra Commercial Vehicles. “FRIGOBLOCK’s existing product portfolio and proactive approach has allowed us to react quickly to our customers’ needs. As more and more operators are going to bring BEVs into service, it’s reassuring to know that there are FRIGOBLOCK solutions already developed to suit UK operators’ refrigerated body requirements.“