Müller, in partnership with Sunswap, trialled the delivery of fresh milk using refrigerated trailers that are battery and solar-powered. The energy required came from free clean energy collected by the solar panels.
Additionally, the company is testing a refrigerated trailer system powered by kinetic energy as part of a collaboration with Carrier Transicold. The Carrier Transicold Vector eCool converts energy generated by the trailer axle and brakes into electricity, which is then stored in a battery pack to power the refrigeration unit.
Per trailer, the solar and battery-powered Sunswap system is said to eliminate all diesel, saving 3,700 litres and 9 tonnes of carbon every year. Carrier’s Vector eCool system is expected to eliminate all carbon emissions associated with traditional refrigeration units operating with an auxiliary engine.
Following completion of the trials, the business will consider further testing or a wider rollout throughout its network.
Müller has also trialled electric shunt vehicles within its Manchester dairy and is now considering a full rollout at the site, with each vehicle saving an estimated 3,700 litres of diesel each year and 9 tonnes of carbon.