Sunswap has installed its Endurance electric refrigeration system on a Noble Foods urban delivery trailer for the first time, introducing a solution that uses the Endurance battery to charge the trailer’s tail-lift battery. The development extends the system’s role beyond refrigeration and eliminates the need for a charging connection to the tractor unit.
The trailer, manufactured by Gray & Adams, uses a charging solution developed to address problems with conventional tail-lift cables, which can be lost, damaged or stolen. By charging the tail-lift battery directly from Endurance, the system reduces dependence on the tractor’s power supply and the need for engine idling during charging. The Endurance battery also powers an onboard security camera and a warning light that alerts operators when its charge is low.
The installation follows one year of cooperation between Sunswap and Noble Foods. Across its fleet of 40 Endurance refrigeration units, Noble Foods has covered 3.3 million miles (5.3 million km), saved 48,700 litres (approximately 12,865 US gallons) of diesel and avoided 126,514 kg (approximately 279,000 lb) of CO2 emissions. The fleet supports deliveries for brands including the happy egg co.
Sunswap also provides fleet support through its Sunswap Shield service, which includes remote diagnostics, software updates and technical and breakdown assistance. Endurance collects data on temperature control, energy consumption and unit performance, allowing operators to monitor refrigeration assets and identify potential issues.
Nikolai Tauber, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Sunswap, said: “This is the first time we’ve used the Endurance battery to charge a tail-lift battery, alongside its primary role powering refrigeration. We’ve engineered a solution that removes the reliance on a connection to the tractor and addresses a genuine operational challenge.”
Ben Martin, Head of Logistics – Consumer Foods at Noble Foods, said: “As we looked at our urban delivery routes, we wanted to address some of the practical challenges our drivers face, particularly around tail-lift charging. Sunswap worked with us to develop a solution that removes a common source of disruption and makes day-to-day operations easier.”
