According to TIP Group, the journey between Glasgow and Norwich lasted 35 hours and was carried out at a -18°C setpoint. The Endurance transport refrigeration unit completed the return journey with 63% battery remaining, after one planned depot charging stop.
The Endurance unit, developed by UK manufacturer Sunswap, is a fully electric refrigeration system that combines battery, solar, software and service functions in one platform. It is designed and manufactured in Leatherhead, Surrey.
TIP said the Glasgow–Norwich journey was one of the standout runs recorded over the past year, following the company’s initial UK trial of the system. The trailer and truck hire company has now put several long-term hire arrangements in place with cold-chain operators using reefer trailers fitted with the Endurance unit.
From trial trailer to long-term hire
TIP has been offering a demonstration trailer fitted with the Sunswap system to operators considering a switch away from diesel-powered refrigeration. The trial programme allows companies to test the technology in their own day-to-day operations before committing to a longer agreement.
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Operators taking part in the programme receive performance reports on the unit, enabling them to assess energy use, temperature performance and operational impact before deciding whether to lease the equipment.
TIP said that, over the last year or so, it had recorded 100% uptime for the refrigeration system, with no unplanned maintenance, failures or periods in which the system was out of service. The company added that operators trialling the unit had avoided diesel use and reduced direct refrigeration emissions to zero for the asset being tested.
Several companies that trialled an electric reefer fitted with the Endurance unit have since signed long-term operating leases with TIP. According to the company, two operators have committed to using the technology across their entire refrigerated operation.
Leasing model targets cost barrier
The announcement is also significant because TIP is positioning the system as a leasing product rather than a one-off technology trial.
The company said its leasing model allows operators to access the technology on a monthly-cost basis, with maintenance and support included, instead of having to fund an outright purchase. TIP is also offering a “trial before you hire” approach for operators that want to test the technology first.
Mark Carlin, TIP Fleet & Engineering Director, said the trials had shown that sustainable refrigeration technology could deliver the “reliability, performance and operational capability” required by cold-chain operators.
Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap, said Endurance is now operating across fleets in three continents and with global fleet operators. He added that the system can offer up to an 81% reduction in operating costs, allowing operators to focus on fuel and maintenance savings when switching away from diesel refrigeration.
Sunswap says the Endurance system generates 1,000 real-time data points, giving operators visibility over temperature compliance, energy use and asset performance.
For refrigerated transport operators, the development points to a growing shift in how electric refrigeration is being introduced into fleets. Instead of asking hauliers to take on the full cost and risk of new equipment immediately, TIP’s model combines operational trials, performance data, leasing, maintenance and support.
