A refrigerated version of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric van has joined the fleet of hire and leasing company Freezerent.
The new vehicle was converted by Solomon Commercials, with a fridge unit and evaporator from GAH.
It is aimed at operators undertaking multi-drop delivery work in cities, with availability for spot rental or longer contract hire.
It is said to have been developed in response to demand from Freezerent customers, and made available through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz dealer Midlands Truck & Van.
The vehicle’s fridge unit is powered by independent lithium-ion batteries, so it does not affect driving range. These batteries are stored behind a chequer plate-protected panel in the bulkhead, meaning cargo space is only very marginally reduced compared with the standard van.
Payload, with the weight of the extra batteries and fridge equipment, is down to around 500kg.
Freezerent managing director Lee Dorward said: “There are plenty of environmentally focused operators out there for whom load volume, rather than carrying capacity, is the key requirement in a temperature-controlled delivery vehicle.
“Clearly, this emissions-free technology is still in its infancy, and I’ve no doubt that over time we’ll see payloads and ranges increase as batteries become lighter and more efficient.
“Nevertheless, customers are asking about what’s available right now, so we felt it was only appropriate that we should draw on the experience of leading suppliers and give them an opportunity to try one of the very first refrigerated eSprinters.”