Tesco expanded its fleet in the UK with 52 new vans with Thermo King fully electric, inverter powered E-200 refrigeration units.

Tesco wanted to increase the durability and flexibility of its Dot-Com vehicles, which are used for various services such as home delivery, delivery in rural areas and the collection of products ordered online. The fleet needed an all-in-one cooling solution to ensure an uninterrupted cold chain with multiple trips per day from their collection point. Protecting the cargo at all times was Tesco’s main need. This is achieved with the E-200, even when the van’s engine is turned off.

Unlike common direct drive solutions designed for diesel engines, the E-200 offers constant capacity regardless of the speed of the vehicle. By using the van’s backup battery, the E-200 units have spare capacity, making the unit also compatible with the vehicle’s start-stop functions. This saves fuel, makes them quieter and reduces emissions.

The spare capacity gives the driver the flexibility to stop without idling the car to maintain the temperature of the goods being transported. The cooling unit can continue to operate with no emissions during stops for deliveries or when the driver is on break or has to switch off the vehicle for a long time.

“The E-200’s technology offers our customers a unique combination of control, ease of use, and reliability that help them improve their shipments,” said Steve Williams, regional sales manager at Thermo King. “The E-200 represents the next generation fully electric cooling units and receives very positive feedback from our customers. They benefit from efficient temperature management, emission-free and low-noise operation and can transport food and goods to people in urban areas with maximum ease of use. ”

Due to the inverter power supply – unlike conventional direct drive solutions designed for diesel engines – the E-200 provides constant capacity independent of the vehicle’s engine, and can operate on electric and motor-powered vehicles. The plug and play solution does not require a diesel powered compressor or modifications to the vehicle to function. It is equipped with patented energy management, which contributes to lower energy consumption, increased vehicle autonomy and extra efficiency and reliability.

By varying the flow of electricity to the cooling unit, the controller can provide more power if needed. This ensures a faster temperature drop during pre-cooling. By carefully checking the power supply, the controller precisely determines the motor speed and the exact cooling or heating capacity required for the correct temperature.

Because the E-200 is fully electric, the vehicles comply with the PIEK standards and Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs) on noise levels for urban distribution, allowing them to operate in low-emission zones. Because they are so quiet, they can also be used at night.