Nuneaton, UK: Sunswap, manufacturer of Endurance, the first purpose-built fully electric transport refrigeration system, has partnered with MAN Truck & Bus at the first UK test drive of its new TGX 4×2 eTruck.
Sunswap says that the collaboration showcases the combination of an electric truck, pulling a fully electric refrigeration solution – “a significant step towards a sustainable cold chain”.
The event, which took place at the Horiba Mira test track, provided an opportunity for customers and the press to road test the fully electric combination.
Endurance has been successfully trialled by 22 customers to date and will hit UK and European roads this summer with nine customers expected to receive their first units including Samworth Brothers, DFDS, TIP Group and Bannister Transport.
Sunswap says that a single charge on Endurance can last one day on frozen operations, two days on multi-temperature and up to two months on chilled.
The battery and solar-powered refrigeration system is also self-powered, ensuring that it does not draw power from the truck. This makes it an ideal solution for both diesel and electric trucks as it does not negatively impact the trucks’ range.
MAN Truck & Bus launched the TGX 4×2 eTruck in 2022 at the International IAA Show in Hannover. The MAN eTGX eTruck is now in production, available for customers to order and ready to hit the UK roads.
The truck has daily ranges of up to 800 kilometres with charge times of 45 minutes.
“We are thrilled to be invited to the showcase of MAN’s eTruck in the UK,” said Michael Lowe, chief executive of Sunswap.
“This collaboration represents a significant leap forward in the drive towards a net-zero cold chain. By combining our zero-emission electric transportation refrigeration system with MAN’s electric truck, we are demonstrating that a fully sustainable supply chain is not only possible but is the future of the industry,,,, and it’s already here”.
“We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to partner with Sunswap at the UK launch of our New MAN eTGX eTruck,“ said Stefan Thyssen, managing director, MAN Truck & Bus UK. “As we strive to decarbonise road transport this innovative fully electric tractor-trailer combination allowed us to showcase a package that demonstrates what is available today to help both significantly reduce emissions and improve sustainability.”
