Wickham Freight Lines deploys solar-powered electric refrigerated trailers

Wickham Freight Lines, a family-owned transport company based in Queensland, has become the first Australian business to deploy the Sunswap Endurance, a battery-electric and solar-charged refrigerated trailer unit developed by Protran Solutions.

The technology aims to replace traditional diesel-powered refrigeration units, which contribute to carbon emissions and noise pollution. Following a field trial on a 1,671 km route between Sydney and Brisbane, the company reported that the unit maintained over 65 per cent battery capacity after 32 hours of operation.

Graham Keogh, director at Wickham Freight Lines, stated that the performance, reliability, and operational savings exceeded expectations, making the technology a viable commercial option for large fleets operating across Australia’s East Coast.