Barnoldswick Lancashire, UK: Refrigerated vehicle company Coolvan has unveiled a refrigerated version of the Maxus eDeliver 3 electric van in anticipation of further restrictions on diesel delivery vehicles in city centres.
After lockdown, some city authorities are looking to accelerate plans to introduce low-emission zones in cities across the UK.
Previously badged as an LDV product, the new Maxus eDeliver electric fridge van has optimised lightweight insulation and a specially adapted refrigeration unit to extend its effective range without compromising temperature control.
Coolvan worked directly with GAH Refrigeration to adapt its Le151C chiller unit to run off the vehicle’s 12v battery to minimise impact on the eDeliver 3’s 150-mile range.
The refrigeration system will only deplete a fully charged 12v battery by a maximum of 8% during a typical working day and an integrated onboard charger regulates recharging to maximise performance and minimise energy consumption.
The chiller compartment is insulated to a depth of 75mm with specially developed lightweight materials to maximise the unit’s efficiency, rendering heavy and expensive additional batteries redundant.
Despite the extra insulation, the short wheelbase 52kW eDeliver 3 retains an internal load length of 1900mm and capacity of 3 m3. Maximum payload is 745kg before the driver.
The eDeliver 3 fridge van will recharge to 85% of full battery capacity in just 45 minutes on a rapid DC charger and the refrigeration unit does not need recharging.
As Transport for London prepares to introduce even more stringent measures to tackle air pollution in London, CoolVan is urging food service companies to future-proof their fridge vans for operating in the capital.
Zero-emission refrigerated vans can operate in the expanded London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and are also exempt from the central London congestion Charge.
Starting in October 2021, only pure battery electric vehicles and zero- emission hydrogen vehicles will continue to be exempt from the central London congestion charge.
Also from October 2021, the ULEZ will extend out to the North (A406) and South Circular (A205) roads – although these roads themselves remain outside the Zone.
The only guaranteed way to avoid both charges when driving into central London is by going electric.
Coolvan managing director Chris Warburton said: “Since the introduction of the T-charge in London in 2017, we have seen a steady increase in enquiries about zero-emission fridge vans.
“Enquiries increased again during the first lockdown as the food service and hospitality sectors rapidly recalibrated their businesses to meet a surge in retail demand and direct sales.
“Since then, we have seen new supply chains established in the hospitality sector and many food service distributors have taken the opportunity to review their operations and invest to future-proof their business.
“Our advice is to replace older diesel fridge vans now as lead times are likely to lengthen as more cities across the UK follow the capital’s lead.”
Several other UK cities – including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton – are currently planning to introduce similar restrictions on older diesel vehicles operating in the urban environment.
