Supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners is running a fleet of seven all-electric temperature-controlled vans in a government-funded trial to test wireless electric vehicle charging.
Deployed early in 2022, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans are equipped with Carrier Transicold Neos 100 units and show how the technology is supporting Waitrose’s plans to end the use of fossil fuels across its entire transport fleet by 2030.
Working as additions to its commercial fleet – which contains more than 400 Carrier-cooled assets – the vans operate home delivery routes across the city, running seven days a week and clocking up an annual mileage of around 12,000 miles. They’re charged wirelessly via dedicated pads in the parking bays at the Waitrose store at St Katharine Docks, London.
“It’s great to be working with Carrier Transicold, as a fast-paced business we’re always looking for more efficient ways to run our fleet as we work towards our net zero targets,” said Dominic Stephens, partner & fleet engineering manager at Waitrose & Partners. “This trial has given us a greener solution for us to deliver to customers quickly, particularly during the summer months.”
Waitrose is already a longstanding Carrier Transicold customer. The latest Neos 100 units feature a roof-mounted 12-volt system, designed to operate entirely on a 230V auxiliary battery system, combining an ultra-slim dynamic profile with constant cooling capabilities.
The units are also designed for environmental benefits; the monoblock construction comes pre-charged from the factory with less than 1kg of R134a refrigerant, which has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,430 – that’s 50% lower GWP than R452a and 174% lower than R404a, the two main refrigerants used in the road transport industry.
“The simplicity of the Neos 100 makes it an ideal unit for this trial, and we’re pleased it performed so strongly in quite challenging circumstances,” said Vic Coppolella, key account manager, Carrier Transicold.
