Wickham Freight Deploys Australia's First Solar-Powered Electric Trailer
Wickham Freight Lines has taken delivery of Australia's first regular-production solar-powered electric trailer refrigeration unit, following a successful 1,670 km trial where the unit retained over 65% battery capacity.
A major Australian freight operator has completed a 1,670 km trial of a solar-powered electric trailer refrigeration unit, demonstrating a potential shift away from diesel-dependent cold chain logistics. Wickham Freight Lines, a family-owned transport giant, took delivery of the Sunswap Endurance units in the week ending October 25, 2026, marking the technology's entry into commercial fleet operations in Australia.
The initial trial ran from Sydney to Brisbane and back during the previous Australian summer, covering more than 30 hours of driving. Wickham's drivers completed the round trip with over 65% of the battery capacity still available.
Performance and savings
Graham Keogh, a director at Wickham Freight Lines, stated that the team was instructed to treat the unit as normal and was genuinely impressed. He noted the performance, reliability, and operational savings were beyond what the company had expected. The majority of the savings are understood to come from eliminating the need for constant refueling, which includes both fuel costs and associated labor. Further savings are anticipated from not requiring periodic engine overhauls.
Technology background
Solar-powered reefer units aim to replace the diesel generators that typically run around the clock on refrigerated trailers. These generators burn high-sulfur, red-dye diesel, contributing significantly to fleet carbon emissions and noise pollution. This remains an issue even when the truck towing the trailer is electric. Sunswap first showed its new solar reefer unit at the HVIA TruckShowX in the Hunter Valley in May of this year.
For a business like Wickham Freight Lines, which runs a large fleet across Australia's east coast with a heavy focus on refrigerated freight, this technology makes real commercial sense. Keogh added that he has become a true believer in the technology. The capital cost of the solar system is offset by not needing to install a diesel tank, motor, and generator.
Industry impact
The successful trial points to a broader industry shift. In the United States, the acquisition of SolarEdge by Nivalis is seen as paving the way for solar-powered reefer trailers. Some municipalities are beginning to move toward regulating both traditional diesel generators and newer electric refrigeration systems. Sunswap indicates its solar-powered Endurance unit can keep food and pharmaceuticals cold in transit without using any diesel fuel.
