Sunswap to showcase Tesco partnership at RTX

Tesco has added five new Sunswap Endurance electric refrigeration-powered temperature controlled trailers units to its fleet. Due to be on display on stand Y23 at RTX, the trailers use roof-mounted solar panels connected to batteries to replace traditional diesel-engined refrigeration units. This is Sunswap’s first triple-temperature deployment, allowing the customer to transport frozen, chilled and controlled ambient foodstuffs. 

The deliveries follow a trial period with Tesco to prove the ability of the technology across multiple temperature zones and delivery distances. Tesco plans to move fresh produce, dairy and frozen foods with the new units, maximising the utility of the vehicle in a single run. Triple temperature control powered by solar panels contributes to Tesco’s green initiatives as well as allowing the customer to be more operationally efficient and reduce unnecessary journeys. 

Cliff Smith, fleet engineering manager at Tesco said: “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. 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.”

Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap said: “Tesco choosing Sunswap Endurance for their fleet is a landmark moment for sustainable food transport. When a retailer of Tesco’s scale deploys electric refrigeration across operations, it validates the technology for the entire industry and accelerates adoption.”

Founded in 2020, Sunswap is a new player in the electric refrigeration market but has received strong backing to quickly scale the business. Initial road trials with prospective customers began in 2022 and the first production Endurance systems started manufacturing in November 2024 at the company’s Leatherhead factory. Its solar and battery technology will be on show at RTX to demonstrate how this solution could be applied to other refrigerated transport operations.