Cold unit supports Waitrose wireless EV charging trial

Waitrose and Partners is reporting strong performance from seven all-electric temperature-controlled vans.

The zero emission vans are equipped with Carrier Transicold Neos 100 units, acquired as part of a Government-funded trial to test the validity of wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging.

A long-time Carrier Transicold customer, Waitrose‘s new Neos 100 units are mounted to Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans.

The new additions to its commercial fleet – which contains more than 400 Carrier-cooled assets – are charged wirelessly via dedicated pads in the parking bays at the Waitrose store at St. Katharine Docks, London.

Entering service early in 2022, all seven operate home delivery routes across the city.

“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 and fleet engineering manager at Waitrose and Partners.

“This trial has given us a greener solution for us to deliver to customers quickly, particularly during the summer months.”

Carrier Transicold’s roof-mounted 12-volt Neos 100 system is designed to operate entirely on a 230-volt auxiliary battery system.

The unit’s design combines constant cooling capabilities with an ultra-slim profile, helping to improve vehicle aerodynamics and therefore range of use.

In addition, its 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 – 50% lower GWP than R452a and 174% lower than R404a, the two main refrigerants used in the road transport industry, it says.

“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 at Carrier Transicold.

Waitrose’s large mixed commercial fleet delivers to more than 330 stores across the UK and services customer home deliveries.

The supermarket’s latest EVs will operate seven days a week, clocking up an annual mileage of approximately 19,000km (11,800 miles).