Tesco has taken a significant step towards greener logistics by adopting Sunswap’s solar and battery-powered electric refrigeration technology, marking the beginning of a shift away from diesel-powered cooling systems that have long dominated the food transport sector.
Traditionally, keeping perishable goods chilled or frozen during transit has required diesel-powered refrigeration units mounted on lorry trailers—contributing to harmful emissions and fuel consumption even when vehicles are stationary. Sunswap’s zero-emission refrigeration system, powered by roof-mounted solar panels and in-built batteries, eliminates the need for diesel entirely.
Image: Sunswap
Sunswap began manufacturing its innovative Endurance refrigeration unit at its in-house facility in Leatherhead in November 2024. Tesco has now taken delivery of five Endurance units, which will replace diesel refrigeration on selected key routes. The fully electric solution eliminates both carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide 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.”
The deployment follows extensive trials in which the Endurance unit consistently maintained performance across varied temperature zones and delivery distances, even in high summer temperatures. Tesco will use the technology on its triple-temperature trailers, which allow fresh produce, dairy, and frozen items to be transported in separate compartments during a single delivery.
Sunswap’s purpose-built solution combines high-efficiency trailer-top solar panels with modular battery systems, providing a fully integrated, high-performance refrigeration unit designed to meet the rigorous demands of today’s cold chain logistics.
“Tesco choosing Sunswap Endurance for its fleet is a landmark moment for sustainable food transport,” said Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap. “When a retailer of Tesco’s scale deploys electric refrigeration across operations, it validates the technology for the entire industry and accelerates adoption.”
This latest move reinforces Tesco’s wider commitment to decarbonising its operations. The integration of low-emission refrigerated transport technology supports the supermarket’s long-term aim of achieving net zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2050.
