Wickham Freight Lines Becomes First Australian Customer of Sunswap Endurance Electric Refrigeration Unit

SYDNEY, NSW – Protran Solutions has announced that Wickham Freight Lines, one of Australia’s largest privately owned transport companies, has become the first Australian business to purchase the Sunswap Endurance, a battery-electric refrigeration unit charged by integrated solar panels and designed to support lower-emission cold chain logistics.

The purchase marks a milestone for sustainable refrigerated freight in Australia, with the family-owned transport business headquartered in Warwick, Queensland, adopting the technology following real-world operational testing.

The decision followed a Sydney-to-Brisbane return journey covering 1,671 kilometres over 32 hours, with the unit reportedly finishing the run with 67% battery remaining.

Wickham Freight Lines proceeded with the purchase after testing a demonstrator trailer supplied by Protran Solutions, assessing the system’s reliability and performance under Australian operating conditions.

Graham Keogh, Director at Wickham Freight Lines, said the results exceeded expectations.

“I put the Sunswap Endurance into the fleet and told the team to stretch it — treat it as a normal unit. We were genuinely impressed. I’m a true believer. I love the technology and I’m not a true tech person whatsoever. You can just see that it’s a winner.

The performance, reliability and operational savings were beyond what we expected. For a business like ours running a large fleet across the east coast, with a heavy focus on refrigerated and cold chain freight this technology makes real commercial sense. We’re proud to be the first in Australia to commit to it, and we see this as the beginning of a broader shift in how we power our fleet.”

Grant Turner, Managing Director of Protran Solutions, said the field trial demonstrated the system’s capabilities and reinforced the value of the partnership.

“Partnering with Wickham Freight Lines to deliver Australia’s very first Sunswap Endurance Unit is a proud moment for the entire Protran Solutions team. Wickhams are exactly the kind of forward-thinking, family-driven business that understands the long-term value of investing in sustainable technology.

Their field testing was thorough and demanding — which is precisely what a technology like this deserves. To have them commit to purchase after that process is the strongest possible endorsement. We look forward to supporting them and to growing the Sunswap Endurance fleet right across Australia.”

Turner said Wickham Freight Lines’ decision to become the first Australian customer demonstrated confidence in both the technology and the relationship between the two businesses.

Wickham Freight Lines Tests Sunswap Endurance in Real-World Freight Operations

Wickham Freight Lines has transported freight along Australia’s east coast for more than three decades, building its reputation on reliability, safety and service. The company’s decision to invest in new refrigeration technology followed extensive testing under normal operating conditions.

Keogh said the trial provided confidence that the unit could meet the demands of long-distance refrigerated transport.

“We run a serious operation — refrigerated freight, long-distance runs, customers who rely on us to deliver on time and on temperature. Before we put any new technology into our fleet, we test it properly. The Sunswap Endurance Unit passed every test we threw at it. The energy savings are real, the cold chain performance is exactly what our customers expect and completing that kind of distance with more than half the battery still in reserve tells you everything about the reliability of this system.

We’re proud to be first in Australia — because we genuinely believe this is where the industry is heading, and we want to lead the way.”

Sunswap Endurance Brings Battery-Electric Refrigeration to Australian Cold Chain Logistics

The Sunswap Endurance is an industrial-grade battery-electric refrigeration system designed to operate independently of diesel power, e-axles and truck-derived electrical systems.

Integrated solar panels recharge the battery during daylight operation, while the high-capacity battery bank supports refrigeration through overnight travel, loading dock waiting periods and extended journeys when sunlight is unavailable.

For Australian refrigerated freight operators, the technology offers potential operational benefits, including reduced refrigeration fuel costs, fewer engine-related maintenance requirements and quieter operation in urban areas and during overnight deliveries.

By eliminating the need for a dedicated diesel refrigeration engine, the system removes associated servicing requirements such as fuel filters and exhaust systems.

Protran Solutions and Wickham Freight Lines Support Lower-Emission Freight

The Sydney-to-Brisbane return trial provided a practical demonstration of the Sunswap Endurance’s potential for long-distance refrigerated freight operations across Australia’s east coast.

Wickham Freight Lines’ purchase represents an important step towards evaluating battery-electric refrigeration technology as an alternative to conventional diesel-powered trailer units, with the potential to reduce operating costs and emissions across the cold chain sector.

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