Wickham first to adopt Sunswap elec refrigeration

QUEENSLAND-based transport operator Wickham Freight Lines has become the first Australian customer for Sunswap’s battery-electric refrigeration technology, following a successful interstate trial that demonstrated the system’s suitability for long-distance cold chain transport.

Supplied locally by Protran Solutions, the Sunswap Endurance refrigerated trailer unit uses a combination of battery storage and roof-mounted solar panels to maintain temperature-controlled freight without relying on a conventional diesel-powered refrigeration engine.

The technology is designed to operate independently of the prime mover’s electrical system, with solar panels replenishing the onboard battery during daylight hours.

Wickham Freight Lines, a family-owned business headquartered in Warwick, Queensland, elected to purchase the technology following an extensive operational assessment using a demonstrator trailer supplied by Protran Solutions.

The trial included a Sydney-to-Brisbane operation covering a reported 1671km over 32 hours, with 67 per cent battery capacity remaining at its conclusion.

The result suggests battery-electric refrigeration could offer a commercially viable alternative to conventional diesel-powered systems, particularly for operators servicing Australia’s extensive interstate freight corridors.

Wickham Freight Lines director Graham Keogh said the company had deliberately subjected the technology to the demands of its regular freight operations before committing to the purchase.

“I put the Sunswap Endurance into the fleet and told the team to stretch it – (to) treat it as a normal unit,” he said.

“We were genuinely impressed. I’m a true believer. I love the technology and I’m not a true tech person whatsoever. You can just see that it’s a winner.

“The performance, reliability and operational savings were beyond what we expected. For a business like ours running a large fleet across the east coast, with a heavy focus on refrigerated and cold chain freight this technology makes real commercial sense.

“We’re proud to be the first in Australia to commit to it, and we see this as the beginning of a broader shift in how we power our fleet.”

Unlike refrigeration systems that rely on a dedicated diesel engine, the Sunswap Endurance is purpose-built around a high-capacity battery system that powers the refrigeration equipment without assistance from the towing vehicle.

The system also does not require an electrically driven trailer axle to generate power, allowing it to operate independently of drivetrain or regenerative charging technology.

Integrated solar panels supplement the battery throughout daylight operation, while stored energy supports overnight transport, loading and unloading operations, and periods of reduced sunlight.

According to Protran Solutions, the arrangement eliminates diesel fuel consumption associated with conventional trailer refrigeration, while potentially reducing maintenance requirements through the removal of engines, fuel filters, and exhaust systems.

The company also claims considerably lower operating noise, an advantage for operators undertaking deliveries in metropolitan areas subject to noise restrictions or overnight operating requirements.

For cold chain operators, maintaining consistent temperature control is critical, particularly when transporting perishable produce, food products, and other temperature-sensitive goods over substantial distances.

Mr Keogh said the system had demonstrated its ability to satisfy those operational requirements without compromising reliability.

“We run a serious operation – refrigerated freight, long-distance runs, customers who rely on us to deliver on time and on temperature. Before we put any new technology into our fleet, we test it properly,” he added.

“The Sunswap Endurance Unit passed every test we threw at it. The energy savings are real; the cold chain performance is exactly what our customers expect and completing that kind of distance with more than half the battery still in reserve tells you everything about the reliability of this system.”

The Australian purchase represents an important step for Protran Solutions, which holds exclusive local distribution rights for Sunswap battery-electric refrigeration equipment.

The company provides refrigeration system supply, installation and maintenance services to the domestic transport industry, including support for cold chain compliance.

Protran Solutions managing director Grant Turner said the Wickham Freight Lines trial had demonstrated the system’s suitability for Australian operating conditions.

“Partnering with Wickham Freight Lines to deliver Australia’s very first Sunswap Endurance Unit is a proud moment for the entire Protran Solutions team,” he said.

“Their field testing was thorough and demanding, which is precisely what a technology like this deserves. To have them commit to purchase after that process is the strongest possible endorsement.

“We look forward to supporting them and to growing the Sunswap Endurance fleet right across Australia.”

While much of the discussion surrounding heavy vehicle electrification has centred on battery-electric prime movers and the challenges associated with vehicle range, charging infrastructure and payload, technologies such as Sunswap Endurance offer an alternative means of reducing diesel consumption within the existing freight network.

By electrifying the refrigeration equipment rather than the vehicle itself, operators can potentially reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions without changing the powertrain of their existing prime movers.

However, Protran Solutions has not disclosed the purchase price of the Sunswap Endurance unit, its battery capacity, refrigeration output or expected payback period relative to a conventional diesel-powered installation.

Nor has the company confirmed the number of additional units Wickham Freight Lines may introduce following its initial purchase.

Nevertheless, the successful interstate demonstration provides an early indication of the technology’s potential suitability for Australian long-distance refrigerated freight operations, particularly where diesel refrigeration engines would otherwise operate continuously throughout a journey.