Sunswap has deployed its electric transport refrigeration units with Tesco, replacing diesel-powered systems at the retailer’s Peterborough depot. The rollout supports Tesco’s wider strategy to reduce emissions across its operations.
The units, called Endurance, are powered by solar panels and modular batteries, eliminating the use of diesel during chilled and frozen deliveries. Sunswap began manufacturing the system at its Leatherhead facility in November 2024. Tesco received five Endurance units in February 2025.
The technology was trialled by Tesco across triple temperature trailers transporting fresh produce, dairy, and frozen goods. The trials included varied delivery distances and summer conditions, maintaining required temperature zones without diesel 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.”
Sunswap’s Endurance system combines trailer-mounted solar panels and integrated battery storage to meet cold chain performance requirements without using fossil fuels.
