World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Tesco trials solar-powered refrigerated trailers

UK: Retailer Tesco is trialling solar-powered refrigerated trailers in a collaboration with Marshall Fleet Solutions.

The solar-powered trailers fitted with Marshall’s Titan system are now on the road and servicing Tesco distribution centres across the country. Titan uses power produced from lightweight, high powered solar panels and stores the electrical energy in long life lightweight lithium batteries to provide power to the refrigeration unit.

“We’ve got 4,200 trailers in our distribution fleet transporting fresh goods such as fruit, vegetables, ready meals and sandwiches,” said Tesco’s fleet engineering manager Cliff Smith. “Around 3,000 of those are refrigerated and with a goal to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2035 and the imminent removal of red diesel entitlements, we’ve had to look at the way our food gets to stores and customers.

“As a business we have looked at various options and through our long-standing relationship with Marshall Fleet Solutions we decided to trial the use of the Titan system on our fleet. So far we are finding that there is no detriment to operational performance, 100% saving on diesel costs and a good ROI.

The Titan system’s independent and autonomous design is capable of providing 100% free power to all makes of on-board refrigeration unit, tail lifts and other vehicle mounted electrically powered applications on all vehicles sizes from LCVs, small trucks, to HCVs, both single temp and multi-temp. Available for both new vehicles as well as for retrofitting to existing vehicles, Titan has the ability to convert fleets to reach zero carbon goals overnight.

Titan is available in two variants: one comprising solar panels and a kinetic recovery unit to power a lightweight lithium battery, the other solar panel only to power a lightweight lithium battery. 

Latest News

11th February 2025

Refrigerant is main feature in Redbox recycling

USA: CoolSys, the US HVACR contracting group, is assisting US retailers in removing and recycling Redbox kiosks following the closure of the DVD rental company.
11th February 2025

Carrier 2024 sales up 19% at $22.5bn

USA: Carrier recorded sales of $22.5bn in 2024, a 19% increase on 2023, including organic sales growth of 3% and a 16% impact from acquisitions and divestitures. 
11th February 2025

Sensi simplifies HVAC thermostat wiring

USA: Copeland has launched its Sensi equipment interface module to simplify HVAC thermostat wiring in both indoor and outdoor applications.
11th February 2025

Azanechiller 3.0 is Star’s latest low-charge ammonia chiller

UK: Star Refrigeration has Azanechiller 3.0, the latest version of its award-winning low-charge ammonia chiller.
10th February 2025

Carrier expands apprenticeship programme

UK: Carrier is building on the launch of its academy in Bracknell last year, and the appointment of an apprenticeship programme lead, by recruiting at least 17 apprentices this year.
10th February 2025

HPA publishes heat pump service checklist

UK: The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has introduced a guidance list of recommended minimum annual service checks for air-, ground- and water-source heat pumps.