As the cold chain industry moves towards lower emissions and improved efficiency, electric refrigerated vehicles are becoming an increasingly practical solution for temperature-controlled logistics. A recent project involving Vanfridge and Hubbard, supplying rental vans to Wiltshire Farm Foods, proves how a refrigerated electric van can successfully meet the demands of high-volume frozen home delivery.
The Challenge: Maintaining Deep-Freeze on a High-Drop Delivery Route
Wiltshire Farm Foods operates a busy home-delivery network, with vehicles typically making 50 to 60 deliveries per route. Frequent door openings can allow warm air to enter the load space, making it challenging to maintain strict frozen temperatures. When the company made the decision to introduce electric vans into its fleet, it needed a refrigeration solution capable of delivering consistent deep-freeze performance at -20°C or lower, without compromising vehicle range or reliability.
The Solution: Hubbard Z350e on a Refrigerated Electric Van
Working together, Vanfridge and Hubbard developed a high-performance electric freezer van based on the Ford E‑Transit Custom. The vehicle was fitted with the Hubbard Z350e electric refrigeration unit, installed and integrated at Vanfridge’s Hubbard Approved workshop in Rushock. The project was delivered as part of a rental fleet supplied by Pola Van Rental, with the vehicles now operating daily on frozen food delivery routes.
To maximise thermal efficiency and cooling performance, Vanfridge designed a specialist insulated load compartment, featuring:
- High-specification fibreglass conversion.
- 100 mm insulation for improved temperature retention.
- A smaller insulated door to minimise heat ingress during deliveries.
The refrigeration system is powered through a Mastervolt inverter connected to vans’ factory ordered 2nd battery system supplied by Ford, ensures a continuous energy supply whenever the vehicle is operating.
Performance in Real-World Conditions
In daily operation, the Hubbard Z350e consistently maintains temperatures down to -25°C, even during demanding multi-drop routes with frequent door openings. Crucially, the refrigeration system has only a minimal impact on vehicle range. According to Vanfridge, the power demand of the unit reduces range by just 5–8%, demonstrating the viability of fully electric frozen delivery vehicles.
The electric refrigeration setup also removes the need for any auxiliary belts and power from a vehicles diesel engine, delivering additional benefits:
- Reduced noise during deliveries.
- Lower running and maintenance costs.
- Zero direct emissions during operation.
Supporting the Future of Electric Refrigerated Fleets
The success of the project has reinforced confidence in electric refrigerated vans as a viable solution for frozen logistics. Vanfridge expects to add up to 15 more electric freezer vans to its rental fleet within the next 12 months as demand grows.
With businesses such as Wiltshire Farm Foods aiming to increase the proportion of electric vehicles in their fleets in the coming years, solutions like the Hubbard Z350e are helping make sustainable cold chain transport a practical reality.
